Fly-Fifhirig. 41 





Old Soldier. All the better for you, fir, in troll- 

 ing from the bank. The trout wont fee you, 

 and you need not wade. 



Clericus. Where are the minnows ? 



Old Soldier. Here, fir, in this tin box ; and 

 nice bright little fellows they are. 



Clericus. What makes you put them in bran ? 



Old Soldier. It hardens them, which is a great 

 advantage. 



Clericus. By the way, I don't much fancy your 

 trolling-tackle. I have been accuftomed to fee it 

 made with a leaden cap to draw down upon the 

 head of the minnow, which not only finks it, but 

 in fome degree protects it from weeds, &c. 



Old Soldier. I have tried both kinds the one 

 with a leaden cap you fpeak of, and that I now 

 ufe, with a large leaded hook to pafs through the 

 body of the minnow, and a fmall lip-hook to keep 

 it in place. I certainly prefer my own, though 

 the other may be the favourite.* 



Clericus. Do you fee where the water curls round 

 yonder bank, eddying into the more ? If there 



brighteft day, and in the cleareft water ; though of courfe 

 ftained water is all in favour of the troller. 



* A brafs killdevil, not too large, that fpins well, and 

 is properly armed, will almoft rival a real minnow, without 

 the conftant trouble that is infeparable from the latter. 



