412 MANUAL FOR YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



apparatus the angler proceeds as follows : He first casts 

 or throws the minnow down the stream, if there is any, 

 or, if in still water, as far out as he can; then, pulling the 

 bait gently yet firmly to him for a yard or so, it revolves 

 rapidly on its axis, and must be allowed to sink for a few 

 inches at the end of that distance by his ceasing to draw 

 in. The angler then repeats the operation till he brings 

 the bait out of the water, when a cast in a fresh direction 

 must be made, but exactly as before in principle. It is 

 obvious, that for this purpose a long rod is required to 

 command a greater extent of water, and a more numerous 

 series of spins, and that running water materially assists 

 the spinning ; still, in dead water a well mounted minnow 

 or shiner may be spun with great effect, and will kill 

 there in preference to any other bait, except perhaps a 

 live one of the same species. 



The gorge-hook is used with the full-sized trolling-rod 

 and a long line, a yard or two of which is pulled out in 

 a loop clear of the reel, and held loose in the left hand. 

 Cast as gently as possible the minnow from you down- 

 stream, or out into the water, if it is still. In thus cast- 

 ing, the loose portion of the line is expended, and the bait 

 is thrown considerably further than it otherwise would be. 

 Then begin to wind up a little at a time, stop, and wind 

 againj thus imitating the actions of the living small fish 

 represented by the dead bait. When the length of the 

 line is reduced to a manageable amount, the action may 

 be varied a little, and the fish may be eased downward or 

 upward, or among piles or other likely places ; but in all 

 cases proceeding by slight jerks, and at the same time not 



