BAIT 



55 



The net is then twisted at the centre and tied with a 

 cord to which a small weight is attached, so as to keep the 

 bag in position when placed in the water. 



A pole, eight or ten feet in length, made of pine or cedar, 

 light and strong, is then fastened to the hoop, so that a por- 

 tion of the end of the pole forms a diameter of the hoop. 



Then one proceeds to a place, in six feet of water, where 

 minnows congregate, and the net is sunk to the bottom. 

 If particles of dry bread or oatmeal are then thrown in the 

 water, immediately over the spot where the net is sunk, 

 the fish soon appear and begin to feed on the fragments 

 which have been thrown in ; as soon as a sufficiently large 

 number are over the net, it is lifted suddenly and some- 

 times two or three dozen minnows may be caught in one haul. 



But care is required, and, if the water is very clear and 

 the sun shining brightly, the fish will escape before the net 

 reaches the top of the water, unless the operation is per- 

 formed very suddenly. 



Various other contrivances, in the form of traps, are 

 made to catch minnows, but they all require special atten- 

 tion, and are apt to get out of order; for the ordinary angler 

 the best way to secure minnows is with the minnow hook 

 and a small fragment of worm. 



Minnow Bottle Trap 



