46 FISHING WITH MINNOW. 



the principal minnow hook should be a size or two 

 larger, say No. 15 or 16. And in fishing with this 

 bait purposely for salmon, you go over the salmon 

 cast with it just the same as with the worm or the 

 fly, hanging it as long as possible, with a gentle 

 motion, over the spot where you suppose him to be 

 lying. But, as formerly mentioned, a whole small 

 par, or young trout, is a preferable bait for the sal- 

 mon. Sprats, or garvies, as they are called, which 

 I believe are young herrings, are excellent bait for 

 salmon. The first time they were tried in the Tweed 

 was in the spring of 1837, at the first breaking up 

 of the river, at which time I accidentally saw these 

 sprats, and conceiving they would be good salmon 

 bait, procured a few, and recommended them to a 

 Mr. George Brown, then here on a fishing excursion. 

 On his first trial with them he made great havoc 

 amongst the salmon in Dryburgh water. He then 

 took a few to Kelso, and there introduced them, 

 where they became a favourite bait for the season, 

 till, at last, the fishermen prohibited their use, from 

 a supposition, that the daily use of such a large bright 

 bait scared the fish from their waters.' 



