40 Minnow and Worm 



sity, have to select a good landing-place. Under these 

 circumstances, keep your fish well on the move, and wear 

 him gradually but carefully towards the shore, and when 

 he is exhausted, and comes away smoothly, hasten your 

 speed as he approaches the gravelly slope, and lift him 

 strongly and well up, for this increased impetus, especi- 

 ally if he make a run and you divert him, gives you the 

 advantage of his efforts in addition to your's, and you will 

 thus haul him well up. Then keep a tight line, dash in 

 quickly, seize him just above the tail, where you can grasp 

 and hold him, then with a swing pitch him clear of the 

 water, and by a blow or two on the head dispatch him. 



A list of Salmon Flies will be found in the appendix. 



When the weather is cold in March, the minnow has 

 been found an excellent bait. In trolling the minnow for 

 Salmon, do it more leisurely than is recommended for 

 trout, and nearer the bottom. Select bright frosty days 

 in preference to dull windy ones, especially in low, clear 

 waters, and in the months of March and April. The tac- 

 kle for trolling the minnow may be fitted up as for trout- 

 ing, only of much stouter make, and well leaded. The 

 worm tackle for Salmon is to be fitted up with a large 

 hook (plate ix.), or- you may use your minnow tackle. It 

 should have a swivel between the top length of gut and 

 casting-line, and the leads eighteen inches from the hook, 

 consisting of five pellets of No.* 2 or 3 shot. In all 

 cases have it heavily leaded, keeping in mind the force of 

 the water fished. The Lob or Large Dew-worm is the best, 

 and if one is not large enough, use two or three. Bait it, 

 if one only is used, as directed for trout. Use a line the 

 length of your rod, and have a yard or so loose below your 

 right hand, that when the bait is stopped by a fish he 

 may have time to gorge, then strike. Heave your bait 

 across the stream and with the current, your stand being 

 at the head of the stream, bring the bait round delibe- 

 rately, and let it travel deep. When round, let it hang 



