THE TROUT. 159 



medean" horn minnow is as good as any, and with this I 

 will couple the plano-convex minnows of Mr. Hearder, 

 which have the advantages of spinning without turning 

 the hooks at the same time. 



In minnow fishing always fish up stream ; spin to your 

 right and left alternately when you can wade up the 

 middle of the water ; and draw your bait obliquely down 

 stream. Spin, too, at one regular pace, neither increasing 

 or diminishing your speed when a fish runs at you. Con- 

 trary to the opinion held by Mr. Francis, I do not think 

 it necessary to " strike " the fish when he strikes you. 

 Simply, draw on. 



I would advise a special rod to be used for minnow 

 fishing, long and light, and fairly lissome, but varying 

 somewhat, according to the nature of your stream and the 

 size of fish you expect to catch. In small rivers, where 

 fish do not often reach a pound in weight, your fly rod, if 

 it is one of the " stiff" or medium stiff class, will answer 

 the purpose ; but perhaps it is better to have a minnow 

 top for use when required. 



Worm-fishing for trout is another deadly method, and 

 among the forbidden pleasures on most waters. But there 

 is worm-fishing and worm-fishing. When the water is 

 discoloured, and the run of a river is specially adapted for 

 this work, the most ordinary of anglers can let the stream 

 wash his worm into likely places, and he is almost certain 

 to take fish. But it is a very different matter when the 

 water is low and clear, and fly-fishing hopeless. Then he 

 must fish up stream, and use the finest of tackle, and that 

 most artistically. And he must be very particular as to 

 the kind of worm he uses. The poet again gives him 

 directions, even on this prosaic matter :- — 



