88 
THE TROUT. 
The following is from Walton, who by many writers was 
considered the best minnow Angler in England: “ And of 
these minnows, first you are to know, that the biggest size is 
not the best, and next, that tho middle size and the whitest 
are the best; and then you are to know, that your minnow 
must be put on your hook, that it must turn round when it is 
drawn against the stream ; and that it may turn nimbly, you 
must put on a big sized hook, as I shall now direct you, 
which is this : put your hook in at his mouth and out at his 
gill; then having drawn your hook two or three inches be- 
yond or through his gill, put it again through his mouth, and 
the point or beard out at bis tail ; and then tie the hook and 
his tail about very neatly, with a white thread, which will 
make it apter to turn quick in tho water ; that done, pull 
back that part of your line which was slack when you did put 
your hook into the minnow the second time ; I say, pull that 
part of your line back so that it shall fasten the head, so that 
the body of the minnow shall be almost straight * on your 
hook ; this done, try how it will turn by drawing it across 
tho water, against a stream; and if it do not turn nimbly, 
then turn the tail a little to the right or left hand, and try 
again till it turn quick ; for if not, you are in danger to catch 
nothing; for know, that it is impossible for a minnow to turn 
too quick.” 
The Minnow is beautifully and faithfully imitated in 
England, and imported into this country, and will be found a 
valuable addition to the Angler’s stock of artificial baits.f 
Although in this and the following methods, tho float is 
not mentioned as an article of tackle, it is much used by 
* Rennie, in his notes on Walton, says : “ I have never boon able to 
cause a minnow to swim well in trolling, uuless tho toil was bent nearly 
to a semicircle.’’ 
t Smearing tho artificial baits with fish-slime is recommended by 
Rennie. 
