138 DEAD-MINNOW KOVING. 



means concealed from view. Our most successful mo- 

 dern methods scarcely differ from the directions given 

 by old Walton, except in improvements in regard to 

 tackle. The swivel, and the various arrangements of 

 double and treble hooks, throat leads, etc., were unknown 

 in the days of the venerable father of the angling frater- 

 nity, and are only the offspring of the superior inventive 

 faculty that characterises more modern times. What 

 would have been his opinion of the " Kill Devil," and 

 other such contrivances, I will not undertake to say. 

 But, perhaps, the most simple and primitive method of 

 trolling is Mr. Stoddart's, and it may with propriety be 

 styled 



DEAD-MINNOW EOVING. 



He says : " The most simple, and in some places the most 

 deadly (method), is a common single bait-hook. This we insert 

 through the back of the minnow, and drawing it out, run below 

 the gill, allowing the barb to protrude from the mouth ; we then 

 tie up the tail along the gut, either with a piece of silk thread, 

 or more expeditiously with the gut itself hitched over the part. 

 This is angled with in the same manner as the worm, allowing 

 plenty of time for the fish to gorge." 



As I have never practised this method, I can give 

 no personal testimony regarding its merits, but have 

 heard it extolled by a crack fisher who was in the habit of 

 adopting it on certain occasions. Nevertheless, in spite 

 of the high authority who recommends it, I am inclined 

 to consider it only a dead bait in most rivers as far as 

 sport is concerned, unless the trout are either very ill- 

 fed or very voracious. 



