CHAPTER IX. 



MINNOW AND PARR-TAIL FISHING. 



is a very inviting branch of the art. 

 ^ ^! JJ* No method of trout-fishing exercises a 

 more lively influence over the angler's 

 hopes and fears, or requires the exercise of 

 so much presence of mind, as trouting with 

 the minnow or parr-tail; a large trout 

 makes a glorious rush at a minnow, and it 

 requires both skill and coolness in order to 

 secure it. Like other methods of angling, min- 

 now-fishing in discoloured water is comparatively 

 easy, and in such circumstances it is better under- 

 stood by those who practise it than any other branch 

 of the art ; but when the streams are clear, to fish 

 successfully with the minnow, particularly in small 

 waters, requires great dexterity, and is one of the 

 most difficult operations of angling. 



One great inducement to use the minnow is the 

 large size of the trout captured. The largest trout 

 taken by the rod are usually caught with it, but the 

 average is not equal in size and still less in condi- 

 tion to those captured with the May-fly. Trout 



