Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ... 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; and it is c' 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 practised 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; it is, however, best to avoid handling minnows intended for bait more than absolutely necessary, as they are tender little fish. You get fat minnows by fishing for them with a worm, and they may be caught very quickly.1 For...
