SPJNNING AND BAIT FISHING. 387 



as a rule it is of very little use, or of none at all, during 

 summer. 



The minnow may be used successfully in almost any state 

 of water which is not too thick and not too rapid. A 

 moderately full water is, however, the best ; what would be 

 considered good water, in short, for the fly — i.e. porter 

 coloured. The rapidity of the current in the stream or pool 

 should be such as to be sufficient to spin the minnow without, 

 as it were, tearing at it. 



The importance of this point will be understood when it is 

 explained that it is upon the current of the stream itself that 

 the minnow spinner practically depends entirely for the * work- 

 ing ' of the bait. He throws the bait down and across, and 

 lets it switig with the current. He does not draw it in with his 

 hand until the moment of taking it out of the water, for the 

 simple reason that it is found salmon will not run at a bait 

 when it is being drawn in. In order, however, to increase 

 its lifeUke appearance, the spinner should continue, as the 

 bait moves with the current, drawing the line in a little and 

 then letting it go back — making a sort of see-saw, that is — 

 with his left hand, although not actually shortening the line. 

 Some spinners make this movement with the point of their 

 rod. 



It will be seen from the engraving that the minnows to be 

 used should be large ones, and the fresher the better ; in fact, 

 I should advise their being carried in a small bait can by the 

 side of the river — Field's aerating bait can being very much 

 the best for the purpose. Of course, if there is a sufficient 

 supply they may be killed before starting and kept fresh for the 

 day's work in a pocket-handkerchief frequently wetted, but 

 they are apt, after a certain number of hours in this condition 

 of dampitude, to get flabby, and certainly lose a part of cheir 

 brightness and silveryness. A little oatmeal, put every morning 

 into the bait can or tank in which the minnows are kept, will 

 help to make them plump and in good condition. 



For this sort of minnow spinning the artificial minnow 



c c 2 



