416 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



THE MINNOW-TACKLE. 1 



In fishing for trout with the minnow, I also prefer a mode- 

 rate breeze, unless in bright sunshine, when more wind is 

 necessary. Your tackle should be the very best single gut, 

 dyed with strong tea, or anything to take the shine off ; a No. 

 13 hook and two No. 8's tied back to back : two swivels are 

 enough, and no lead on the line. Any one with the least 

 knowledge of angling knows how to bait. The large hook 

 enters the minnow's mouth and is brought out near the tail, 

 which is curved in order to make it spin ; one of the others 

 is passed through its lips. A fly-top makes the minnow spin 

 more lively, and is therefore preferable to a bait one : the 

 rod-makers will say the reverse. In river-fishing, another 

 branch and couple of small hooks fastened to the gut, and 

 fixed in the minnow's side, are often used ; but I do not re- 

 commend them for the lochs. 



The best, though most tedious way of casting, is to gather 

 the line with your right hand, and letting the minnow hang 

 down about a yard, throw it out, shifting the rod at the same 

 time from the left hand to the right: you can thus make 

 further casts, and the minnow lasts twice as long. If the 

 wind is high, try all the sheltered bays ; you may then often 

 hook a fish where you would otherwise have had little chance. 

 Sink the minnow a few inches below the surface, and when 

 you see or feel a bite, slacken your line a little : when you 

 strike, it must be done with much more force than in fly- 

 fishing. 



When trolling from a boat, the less the breeze the longer 

 the line : sink it with lead to a considerable depth. In bait- 



1 It is very necessary to have wire-cages for small burn-trout, parr, and minnow. 

 By sinking the cages in the nearest burn, leaving the tops above water for air, 

 and feeding the live bait with small worms, they will thrive for months. If the 

 cages are placed in a loch or any still water, they are apt to die ; and if the cage- 

 tops are not above water, they will be drowned for lack of air. 



