158 NOTES ON FISH AND FISHING. 



low and clear water in this style a man must be a good 

 fisherman. When the water is in this state it is almost 

 indispensable that you wade and fish up stream. For full 

 information on the methods of fishing briefly alluded to 

 in the last few paragraphs, I would refer the young angler 

 specially to Mr. Francis's Book on Angling, and Trout 

 Fishing in Rapid, Streams. 



The use of the natural and artificial minnow is another 

 recognized method for taking the common river trout ; 

 though this, again, is forbidden in many waters in conse- 

 quence of its deadly effect. The summer months are best 

 for spinning the minnow, and a trout, if at all inclined to 

 feed, can seldom resist this bait if properly offered to him. 

 For preference I should say use a natural minnow, i.e. if you 

 can put it on your hooks "well and truly." Itmust spin very 

 correctly on its axis, as all trout are almost as particular in 

 this respect as the true Thames trout. Any "wobbling" is 

 fatal to success. If you cannot carry or get carried your 

 minnows alive in a bait-can, sprinkle them with a little salt, 

 and pack them with bran in a box. They are more easily 

 handled when thus treated. I do not think it matters 

 much what form and arrangement of hooks you use, as 

 long as you put your bait on properly. At least, this is 

 my experience, and I have used a great variety of tackle. 

 Mr. Francis, I notice, is very particular on this point, and 

 strongly condemns Hawker's principle and the metal cap 

 over the lips of the bait. I have, however, found this 

 tackle to answer admirably. I certainly agree with him 

 as to the use of the " Field" lead for the prevention of 

 that bane of the spinner's sport, "kinking" of the line. 



There is an infinite variety of artificial minnows. After 

 trying very many, I find that practically the old " Archi- 



