The Trolling-rod. 87 



now so much as either of the former, which is a great 

 consideration, for much depends- upon a tidy bait. Never 

 troll with a Minnow that has part of its entrails hanging 

 loose ; it is useless in clear water : always take the loose 

 parts off, or put on a fresh bait ; for, if you do not, you 

 must not expect much sport. 



For a very fine clear water I would only use a small 

 and a large triangle, and no loose fly-hook hanging be- 

 hind the bait, fine tackle, and very small hooks, and 

 Minnow. Tackle of this description has this advantage, 

 that you can use almost any sized Minnow ; only be 

 careful to bend it well before you fix the triangle in the 

 back. As to cramming an ounce of lead down the throat 

 of a Minnow when baiting, those parties may choose to 

 do so who deem it essential. I cannot imagine that it 

 is so, or that it is the least likely way to injure the Min- 

 now. There are, of course, many other plans of fitting 

 up and baiting trolling tackle ; but any of the above are 

 sufficient for the purpose, and a further description of 

 others would not serve any useful purpose. See Plate ix. 

 for these and other tackles. 



The Trolling-rod and Manner of Trolling the Minnow. 



THE Trolling-rod for trouting should not be above thirteen 

 feet in length, for if longer it becomes wearisome to the 

 hand, (this fishing being the most laborious of any,) neither 

 if longer is it manageable. It should be made of the 

 very best material, since trolling tries a rod more than 

 any other kind of angling. Strength and stiffness should 

 be combined with a fine even spring ; and it should be 

 proportionately stronger in the butt than the fly-rod, or 

 you will not be able either to cast with precision or troll 

 either against or across a stream, or strike your fish 

 sharply and strongly ; all of which should be done. The 



