46 A little spooney. Chapt. v. 



of using. Still it is by no means to be contemned, and 

 does a great deal more business tban would be supposed, 

 one side being copper, and tbe other, the inside, being 

 silvered, it flashes as it revolves, and is seen a long way 

 off in consequence. But if too closely inspected the rude- 

 ness of the imitation is so apt to be discovered, that it is 

 seldom used in England except in colored water; but as 

 it is of no use fishing for Mahseer in any thing but clear 

 water, the spoon is at a further discount in India. Still 

 it does very good service if used judiciously. It stands 

 to reason that in water clear as crystal its use should be 

 confined to the quicker runs ; for in the quieter waters you 

 could not get it to revolve rapidly enough for deceit, with- 

 out pulling it faster through the water than is advisable. 

 In a good strong run you may even keep it stationary, 

 the stream doing all the spinning for you. 



In consequence of this necessity for using it chiefly in 

 rapid water I prefer the spoon to be somewhat heavier 

 than it ordinarily is in England; for if it comes to the 

 surface, it ceases to have a hold on the water, and con- 

 sequently ceases to spin. Having regard moreover to the 

 bottom-feeding propensities of the Mahseer I prefer to 

 spin deep. 



As to the different sizes of spoons a word may be better 

 said in the chapter on tackle. I will only mention here that 

 I have been so hard pushed for bait in camp that I have 

 been thankful to lay hands on a mustard spoon, and con- 

 vert it to the much more useful end in existence of being 

 a beguiler of good Mahseer than a disguiser of bad beef. 



