BALLOON OR FLOAT FISHING. 395 



water, but, as the victim tires, it again rises to the top. The 

 party with all possible dispatch row to their respective floats, 

 seize their lines, haul in their fish, then bait, and repeat the 

 process. This description of sport is practised at all times 

 of day for perch, pickerel, and basse, but, in the warm sum- 

 mer months, from about five o'clock in the afternoon until 

 suudown. 



When pieces of wood (square blocks of wood two or 

 three inches thick are better) are used, a hole is bored 

 through and a stick inserted, projecting through three or 

 four inches at the bottom, and about six inches at the top, 

 to which can be attached various colored flags to distinguish 

 the ownership of each. 



Although this description of sport is mentioned as amusing 

 to the ladies, it does not exclusively belong to them. Gen- 

 tlemen often unite with them and assist them in taking their 

 fish, and also are fond of hooking the finny family in this 

 way themselves when more scientific modes of angling can- 

 not be engaged in. 



The simplest method of baiting with the minnow is to put 

 the hook through the mouth, bring it out at the gills, and 

 again through the hard fleshy part of the back, the shank of 

 the hook being long enough to come nearly or quite out of 

 the mouth. 



When minnows fcannot be had, small sunfish or frogs are 

 substituted, the sunfish being hooked through the centre of 

 the back, and the frog with a double hook through the belly, 

 by an incision made with a small knife or baiting-needle. 

 When the float of wood or cork is used, it should be firmly 

 tied to the bottom projection of the stick, and, if the game be 

 pike, a reasonable time should be allowed the fish to gorge 

 the bait. 



