10 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



an infallible attraction to pike, perch, or chub. It must be 

 borne in mind, that I am now speaking only of those streams 

 that are supposed to contain the above kinds of fish; it 

 would be sacrilege on my part to recommend this com- 

 paratively simple and poaching mode of angling in preference 

 to the noble art of fly-fishing with all its beautiful associa- 

 tions and ingenious refinements ; still I should not be afraid 

 of betting a large wager, that with a live minnow on fine 

 gut, I would at any time kill a heavier weight of trout in a 

 given time than would be achieved by the most accomplished 

 fly-fisher, in his favourite stream. 



Salmon are not exceptions to this rule, and are to be 

 caught by a minnow or small gudgeon, when the fly or even 

 the lob-worm fails to attract them. The chief point to be 

 observed in fishing with a minnow is to select bright coloured 

 ones if possible, and by every possible precaution, such as a 

 large tin, with plenty of holes for the admission of air, and 

 frequent change of water, keep them in a lively condition. 

 Some of our most distinguished brethren of the angle, 

 amongst whom I may quote, perhaps, the most remarkable, 

 (Sir H. Parker,) have advocated the use of the artificial min- 

 now, which is used similarly to the fly, and is considered 

 by those who have attained the necessary skill and practice 

 to throw an artificial minnow some twenty or twenty-five 

 yards, and to make it describe a light curl upon the water, 

 as it gently descends into the centre of the radius occasioned 

 by the recent rise of some large trout or other fish, as one 

 of the most inlallible of baits; but few, very few, have 

 the skill or patience to be able to use it with advantage. 



