THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 99 



water : that done, pull back that part of your line which was 

 slack when you did put your hook into the Minnow the second 

 time ; I say, pull that part of your line back, so that it shall 

 fasten the head, so that the body of the Minnow shall be almost 

 straight on your hook; this done, try how it will turn, by 

 drawing it cross the water or against a stream ; and if it do not 

 turn nimbly, then turn the tail a little to the right or left hand, 

 and try again till it turn quick, for if not, you are in danger to 

 catch nothing; for know, that it is impossible that it should 

 turn too quick.* And you are yet to know 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. f And this Minnow I will now shew 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 about 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 devoured so many, or the miller 

 that gave it a friend of mine had forced them down his throat 

 after he had taken him. 



Now for Flies, which are the third bait wherewith Trouts are 



* 1 have never been able to cause a Minnow to spin well in trolling, 

 unless the tail was bent nearly to a semicircle. J. R. 



f Artificial Minnows, made with mother-of-pearl, are to be purchased 

 at all the tackle shops ; but I should always prefer a live one, when it can 

 be had. In using an artificial Minnow, smear it with fish slime. J. R. 



