NOTES. 



Although the minnow is an insignificant little fish, 

 he is very useful for catching perch and trout ; Minnow 

 indeed, for' large perch, he is about the best Ruffe, 

 bait possible. Miller's 



Minnows frequent swift brooks and running Thumb, 

 streams, assembling in hundreds j and it is '^' 



a common sight to see perch, chub, and other fish 

 chasing them for food. Minnows should not be caught 

 on a hook when required for bait, as extricating the 

 barb damages the fish. A needle should be heated 

 in a candle or lamp flame and the point bent round, so 

 that the needle thus forms a long-shanked, eyed hook 

 without a barb. A willow stick, a length of thread or 

 cotton, and perhaps one shot completes the tackle. Bait 

 the point and bend of the needle with a piece of red 

 worm, and drop the bait amongst a shoal of minnows, 

 keeping the bait-kettle handy, with the lid open, and half 

 filled with water. If fishing from a punt, the minnows 

 can be dropped direct into the well; but minnows in 

 a punt-well should be kept in the perforated zinc part 

 of the bait-kettle, for the gratings of punt-wells are mostly 

 wide enough apart to let them escape. They must 

 have plenty of running water, or they usually die very 

 quickly. The needle arrangement should only be prac- 

 tised in clear water ; directly the worm is taken, lift the 

 minnow up and drop him off the needle without touching 

 him with the hand. He will frequently save all trouble 

 by dropping off of his own accord ; but if he falls out of 

 the kettle or punt-well, he must, of course, be picked up ; 



