DAY FISHING WITH MINNOW 77 



with this plan. The sea-trout are lying facing upstream, 

 and I maintain that the area directly across the river, 

 in which the fish can be enticed, is somewhat limited. 

 I prefer to cast more to the tail of the pool, in which case 

 the travelling minnow will, in all probability, pass more 

 fish. 



With a long stretch of open water, the ideal cast, to 

 my way of thinking, is one which shoots away down- 

 stream to the far bank. A throw of from forty to fifty 

 yards in these circumstances is tolerably easy, and, with 

 efficient winding, the minnow covers some grand ground. 



Although to possess the ability to throw a long line 

 is advantageous, there is far more in spinning than in 

 merely making the minnow fly. A thorough knowledge 

 both of spins and of rates of recovery is essential when 

 sea-trout fishing, if the angler wishes to rank a trifle 

 above an average spinner. 



Some month ago I was walking with a fishing friend 

 along a river bank. This friend is one of the best present- 

 day adepts with the metal minnow, and his angling 

 opinions are always to be respected. Having finished 

 with our rods, we were on our way downstream to our 

 homes. As we emerged from a thicket I noticed on the 

 opposite bank an angler just as he had completed an 

 unusually long cast. Directing my friend's attention to 

 him, I remarked that the unknown rodster seemed to be 

 capable of a mighty lengthy throw. My friend eyed the 

 stranger for a few seconds and replied somewhat tartly, 

 " Yes. He's got a hotel ticket. He was here all yesterday, 

 but he did not touch a thing. I passed him this morning, 

 and could see that he would do no good. Of course, he 

 might hook an orphan ; beyond that I would not give 

 much for his chance. He can put the line out all right, 

 but the trouble is he is using the wrong spin. I spoke 

 to him as I came up this evening, and would have put 



