CASTING THE BAITED MINNOW. 207 



angling with a tripping bait, as well as for minnow 

 or bleak spinning. 



Mr. Elaine says, "The minnow-spinning rod 

 requires length and strength, combined with 

 lightness, which requisites appear best obtained 

 by having it made of cane, except the last joint. 

 It must be neither too flexible, nor too stubborn, 

 as either extreme will impair its utility: if too 

 stiff, the hook or the hold will be endangered 

 when striking ; if too pliant, it will yield to the 

 resistance of the water too much to allow a ready 

 stroke to be made when a bite occurs, and the 

 fish will escape ere the effect of the stroke reaches 

 him. The first delivery of the minnow on the 

 water should be delicately done, so as to raise no 

 disturbance in it, either by noise or splash, which 

 is managed by checking the impulsive swing just 

 before the bait reaches its destination, at the same 

 time dropping the hand as well as the point of 

 the rod, which will thus check the bait, and lay it 

 lightly on the water. This effected, begin to 

 draw the bait slantingly across the stream, at 

 various depths, with a certain degree of regu- 

 larity, observing also to imitate the shootings of 

 the living fish in its actions; and as Colonel 

 Hawker, in the true spirit of a piscatory tactician, 

 observes, ( if a fish comes after your minnow, 

 never stop it, or in any way alter your pace, or 

 he will most likely be off again directly.' More 



