376 FLT-FISHING. 



rally expected of them that they would not hold the 

 fish, as well as those with a barb, does not exist, and 

 when it is desirable to capture trout to be kept alive, 

 they answer admirably, for they very rarely kill the 

 fish in the process of extraction. The disadvantage 

 charged upon them is that they have so long a 

 point that the trout when rising short, will not seize 

 them above it, and will as a consequence not be 

 hooked. Opinions concerning them are about equal- 

 ly divided; sometimes they seem to do admirably, 

 at others they do not work as well as the ordinary 

 hook. 



As the trolling-spoons resemble no known crea- 

 ture, they also are supposed to be intended and 

 accepted for the minnow, although it is difficult to 

 conceive why fish with their sharp sight, that can 

 distinguish an almost microscopic midge upon the 

 surface of the water twenty feet above their heads, 

 should mistake a piece of revolving tin for a living 

 fish. The first of these contrivances were manufac- 

 tured and named from the bowl of a pewter spoon, 

 the handle being broken off and holes drilled in each 

 end, so that the line and hooks could be attached ; 

 this bait was found to revolve and glitter in the 

 water in an attractive way. It is now almost super- 

 seded by other modifications ; but still, when made 

 of bright tin and painted of a dark color on the con- 

 vex side, and rather more elongated tlian the ordi- 

 nary pattern, it is successful with lake-trout and 

 Mackinaw salmon. The first alteration in shape was 

 by fitting two flanges or wings on a long, hollow 



