PLAYING THE MINNOW. 157 



stations himself to catch what the waters may bring 

 down, next step a yard or two farther down, and this 

 time allow the bait to play for a minute or two just 

 over the edge of the shelf, so as to be seen from the pool 

 below, as if it were making most strenuous efforts to 

 breast the current into the shallow above ; when, if a 

 large trout is within sight, he will be tantalized to dart 

 at it like a greyhound at a hare. At every ensuing 

 cast, step a yard or two down the water, and keep the 

 bait playing in as lively a manner as possible for a 

 few seconds in every piece of water likely to harbour 

 a trout by the side of bushes, roots, piles, stones, over- 

 hanging banks, or other favourite haunts remembering 

 what I have said in regard to allowing the bait to 

 reach close to the margin of the water before with- 

 drawing it. It is the constant habit of trout to chase 

 or follow a minnow right across the water, as if closely 

 examining it, at a foot or two behind, and attempt to 

 seize it only when approaching the shoal water at the - 

 side. I have observed them do this scores of times 

 when angling from an elevated bank, and I know many 

 otherwise good minnow-fishers fail in their efforts from 

 an ignorance of the above fact. 



When by any chance you observe a trout following 

 or about to strike at the minnow, do not in the flurry of 

 the moment hastily snatch it away from him, as if you 

 were afraid he might get hold of it, and as I have seen 

 some nervous neophytes do ; but rather allow it to meet 

 him as it were half-way. Nevertheless do not cease to 

 keep it spinning, otherwise he might discover the hooks 



