BASS FISHING WITH THE MINNOW 155 



go early in the morning, and underneath will be 

 found some of the plumpest of the black crickets. 

 An old Vermont trout fisherman told me this, and 

 I have verified it. A small fine hook, very sharp, 

 is the best for grasshopper fishing, size No. 6 (Fig. 



33)- 



There is one little hint in connection with this 

 fishing that needs imparting. When the trout 

 seizes the bait, he usually does so savagely, and 

 only to crush it. Consequently, wait until he turns 

 again to swallow it before you strike, and you will 

 catch your fish. Otherwise you will not. A dis- 

 abled " hopper " cast on the stream once in a 

 while will set the fish feeding on your hook that 

 is baited. 



One other form of fun-making fishing occurs to 

 me before I close this chapter. All through the 

 early summer and late fall both bullheads and eels 

 will take a bait ; but as they are nocturnal in their 

 habits, it is only at night one gets really good 

 sport with them. Bullhead fishing is usually 

 practised on a dark night — preferably, just after a 

 heavy warm rain, and the lines are primitive 

 enough. Large sized 'eyed hooks are tied to 

 lines, of which two are enough for each angler. 



