HOW TO FISH FOR TROUT. 157 



that in case you want a minnow, then a small loach or a 

 stickle-bag, or any other small fish that will turn quick, will 

 serve as well ; and you are yet to know, that you may salt 

 them, and by that means keep them ready and fit for use 

 three or four days or longer ; and that of salt, bay-salt is the 

 best. 



And here let me tell you, what many old anglers know 

 right well, that at some times, and in some waters, a minnow 

 is not to be got ; and therefore let me tell you, I have which 

 I will shew to you an artificial minnow, that will catch a 

 trout as well as an artificial fly, and it was made by a hand- 

 some woman that had a fine hand, and a live minnow lying 

 by her : the mould or body of the minnow was cloth, and 

 wrought upon or over it thus with a needle : the back of it 

 with very sad French green silk, and paler green silk towards 

 the belly, shadowed as perfectly as you can imagine, just as 

 you see a minnow ; the belly was wrought also with a needle, 

 and it was a part of it white silk, and another part of it with 

 silver thread ; the tail and fins were of a quill, which was 

 shaven thin ; the eyes were of two little black beads, and the 

 head was so shadowed, and all of it so curiously wrought, 

 and so exactly dissembled, that it would beguile any sharp- 

 sighted trout in a swift stream. And this minnow I will now 



lew you ; look, here it is, and, if you like it, lend it you, to 

 have two or three made by it ; for they be easily carried 

 ibout an angler, and be of excellent use ; for note, that a 

 large trout will come as fiercely at a minnow as the highest 

 mettled hawk doth seize on a partridge, or a greyhound on 

 a hare. I have been told that a hundred and sixty minnows 

 have been found in a trout's belly : either the trout had de- 

 voured so many, or the miller that gave it a friend of mine 



