Page:Natural History, Fishes.djvu/59

Rh sometimes these are united into an implement of ingenious construction. A minute fish is the common bait, which is affixed to the hooks in a living state, and in such a manner as not to do it vital injury; but well-formed imitations, made of metal, or cut-glass, are substituted with success by those who have scruples about impaling the little minnow or dace. The bait, whether living or artificial, is sometimes affixed to the line by a swivel, and a bend being given to the tail, it is made to revolve rapidly on its long axis when drawn through the water. This spinning motion is very attractive to fish of prey, which eagerly pursue the dazzling object that seems to flee from them. Large Perch, Pike, and Trout, are taken by spinning. It is much used on the Continent by English travellers, as well as in the United States, and in Canada. All the large Thames Trout are taken with spinning-tackle.

But the perfection of angling is fly-fishing, which is performed at the surface of the water, the baits being in general artificial imitations of the various flies which flit about the surface, and attract the fish to leap up at them. The greatest skill is put in requisition to throw the bait so that it shall fall on the surface with the light elastic touch of the natural fly alighting, and shall imitate its fitful motions so perfectly as to deceive the practised eye of the wary and experienced Salmon or Trout beneath. "Other sports," says a master in the art, "may be more exciting than artificial fly-fishing, but there is not one requiring more skill, or calling into exercise more intelligence and adroitness of mind and body. A quick eye, a ready and delicate hand,