Fishing in North Carolina. 15 



minnow bucket is a poor equipment ; unless cov- 

 ered with some material that will deaden the 

 sound. The tin bucket will make a noise every 

 time you look at it, and you are always hitting 

 it when it is not in sight. Furthermore the tin 

 seems to call down the rays of the sun with 

 extraordinary power, necessitating frequent 

 change of water. The strainer is all right, 

 when in the water, if allowed to sink deep into 

 a cool stratum ; but it is noisy and the air com- 

 partment is worthless, keeping it in warm water 

 at the surface. 



I prefer a thick gourd, holding two or three 

 gallons with a crooked neck, and grown so that 

 the bottom is flat, and it will sit up straight. 

 Cut a hole big enough to put a hand through 

 near the handle, and fashion a piece of perfo- 

 rated cork to fit this hole tightly, and you have 

 a bait holder that will make little noise if kicked 

 about, does not become heated and with string 

 can be let down for a supply of heavy fresh 

 water — ^the life of the minnow. The more 

 soggy the gourd becomes, the tougher and cooler 

 it is ; the minnows do not sicken, and you have 

 an ideal bait bucket. 



