SPINNING AND BAIT FISHING. 387 
as a rule it is of very little use, or of none at all, during 
summer. 
The minnow may be used successfully in almost any state 
of water which is not too thick and not too rapid. A 
moderately full water is, however, the best ; what would be 
considered good water, in short, for the fly—i.e. porter 
coloured. The rapidity of the current in the stream or pool 
should be such as to be sufficient to spin the minnow without, 
as it were, tearing at tt. 
The importance of this point will be understood when it is 
explained that it is upon the current of the stream itself that 
the minnow spinner practically depends entirely for the ‘ work- 
ing’ of the bait. He throws the bait down and across, and 
lets it szeéng with the current. He does not draw it in with his 
hand until the moment of taking it out of the water, for the 
simple reason that it is found salmon will not run at a bait 
when it is being drawn in. In order, however, to increase 
its lifelike appearance, the spinner should continue, as the 
bait moves with the current, drawing the line in a little and 
then letting it go back—making a sort of see-saw, that is— 
with his left hand, although not actually shortening the line. 
Some spinners make this movement with the point of their 
rod. 
It will be seen from the engraving that the minnows to be 
used should be large ones, and the fresher the better ; in fact, 
I should advise their being carried in a small bait can by the 
side of the river—Field’s aerating bait can being very much 
the best for the purpose. Of course, if there is a sufficient 
supply they may be killed before starting and kept fresh for the 
day’s work in a pocket-handkerchief frequently wetted, but 
they are apt, after a certain number of hours in this condition 
of dampitude, to get flabby, and certainly lose a part of their 
brightness and silveryness. A little oatmeal, put every morning 
into the bait can or tank in which the minnows are kept, will 
help to make them plump and in good condition. 
For this sort of minnow spinning the artificial minnow 
CC2 
