234 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



FISHING WITH MINNOW AND PARR'S TAIL 



Salmon do not take the minnow or the parr's tail 

 so well in the Tweed as they do in the Tay, nor so 

 well in the upper parts of Tweed as they do in the 

 lower. The minnow, in low water, is preferable to 

 the parr's tail ; and it should be worked in the same 

 manner as in trout fishing, only not quite with so 

 quick a motion. It is not necessary to use more 

 than two hooks ; namely, the large hook that 

 passes through the minnow, and the lip hook. Shot 

 should be put on the casting line about a foot and 

 a half from the bait fewer or more according to 

 the strength of the stream. 



What is called the parr's tail is a pretty liberal 

 allowance of the said little fish, consisting of a 

 diagonal cut from the shoulder to the anal fin ; so 

 that in fact you have all the firm part of the fish, 

 discarding the head and the stomach. In full water 

 I think this bait is preferable to the minnow ; and 

 it has the advantage of a much firmer hold of the 

 hook, not breaking like the soft parts of the minnow. 



Clean salmon will take this bait whenever the river 

 is in order for the fly, or perhaps a little before it is 

 so, even when the water is slightly discoloured, or, 

 as the fishermen call it, drumly. But foul fish, in- 

 cluding kelts, never take it well in the upper parts 

 of the Tweed, unless the water is clear, though they 

 will take it in a drumly water in the Tay ; nor can 

 any sport be expected with it in very warm weather. 



The best state of the water, and the most con- 

 venient time, is between the fly and bait fishing ; 



