44 NORTH-COUNTRY FLIES. 



sent to the fish a bait armed with hooks so disposed that 

 failure to hold an attacking trout shall be next to impos- 

 sible. Notwithstanding this, it is perhaps not too much to 

 say that a perfect minnow flight has not yet been devised. 

 On Plate 12 are shown four styles which will be found as 

 serviceable as any known systems, the one with the large 

 hook being perhaps most suitable for coloured water, and 

 the flight of hooks for clear water. The minnows are also 

 shown baited in order to make the matter more explicit 

 than could be done by description. No. I is an excellent 

 tackle, and easily baited ; No. 2 is also very good, the 

 sliding lead shown on the line obviating the necessity for 

 shot : on the other hand, it requires the use of a baiting 

 needle and a detachment from the trace with each new 

 minnow ; No. 3 is a modification of the Chapman spinner, 

 and was given to me by Mr. J. W. Reffitt, who is an ex- 

 perienced minnow-fisher ; and No. 4 is a well-known form, 

 commonly used all over the north. 



No. 3 on the Plate which may be called an improved 

 Chapman spinner would be difficult to beat for general 

 minnow fishing. In the original Chapman the leaden 

 weight fixed to the vanes or wings soon bursts the skin of 

 the minnow, and is replaced in this improved tackle by a 

 short wire stem which fits the minnow's mouth, the trace 

 being weighted by a small " field " lead, about fifteen inches 

 above the bait. To prevent the minnow slipping down at 

 the head, it should be tied with a piece of black thread in 

 this way : Take a piece of thread 5 inches long, pass it 

 round the minnow's head so that it catches the gills, tie a 

 double knot on the top of the head, pass through the hole 

 or loop in the head of the spinner, tie again, and cut off the 

 loose ends. A minnow thus fixed will never be lost, unless 

 a trout happens to cut it to pieces, and one minnow will not 

 unfrequently serve for three fish. 



