straight, stiff stick picked up on the shore serves as a handle, being made fast to the net by a strong piece of twine through the screweye, and with a piece of bread tied in the net with the string, and perhaps a small, flat stone to make it sink, it is ready to catch minnows. They will come over the net for the bread, and when it is raised up quickly the resistance of the water causes it to belly, and the minnows will not get out. When bait enough has been taken, I pull the wires out of the holes, drop the bung into the net, and roll it up on the wires.

Another very simple and effective device for the same purpose is thus described by a well-known angler, of Nashville, Tennessee, in the "Chicago Field:"

This simple contrivance astonishes all who see it, because they naturally ask the question, how it was that no one ever thought of it before? A globe of wire netting split in two, fastened at the bottom by hinges, and attached to a stick by strings from the topthis is the whole affair, save a small place in the center for bait. The two hemispheres are so arranged as to open partially from their own weight, if allowed to touch bottom; or they can be separated by pulling one of the strings above mentioned. As minnows are generally found in shallow, clear water, it is easy to see when enough have entered the trap, to close and draw it out. This invention does away entirely with seining, and the disagreeable necessity of wading in the water. The pole or stick upon which the trap is hung may be made of any desired length, and jointed, thus permitting the entire apparatus to be packed in a small space. Those of our Nashville anglers who have seen it are of the opinion that nothing else will be used for catching minnows, once they become known.

FLOATS, OR CORKS.

The float should never be used when it can be dispensed with, as it is detrimental to good casting, and is always in the way. It becomes necessary, however, in shallow streams, where the bottom is covered with snags, roots,

weeds and other obstacles, and may be used in still-fishing, where crawfish, frogs or helgramites are used as bait; but, when used, it should be as small as possible, consistent with the weight of the sinker required, and should be employed for the sole purpose of keeping the hook away from the bottom, and not as an object of intense and constant observation to indicate a bite.

An egg-shaped, oval, long or barrel-shaped cork-float may be used; or, still better, perhaps, a swan-quill or porcupine-quill float may be employed with advantage, in situations referred to above.

The best of all, however, and the only real improvement ever made in fishing-floats, is the "Patent Adjustable Enameled Float." This handy article, instead of the usual ring and quill slide, has spiral rings of wire at each end of the float, for ready attachment or detachment to or from the line without removing the bait or hook. The attachment is made in a moment to any portion of the line; and, when attached, can be moved up or down the line at will, and will remain stationary wherever placed. These floats are hollow, quite light, and well finished. To those anglers who are partial to the use of a float, it is an invention of great merit and advantage.

THE SWIVEL.

A brass box-swivel should always be employed in baitfishing for Black Bass. It prevents, in a great measure, the twisting, kinking and snarling of the line, so annoying to the angler. In rod-fishing, the smallest sizes-Nos. 5 or 6—are large enough; and, usually, no additional weight or sinker will be required. The line should be made fast

to one ring, and the snell of the hook attached to the other. In trolling, two swivels can be used with advantage-one attached to the snell of the hook or spinner, and the other attached to the line some two or three feet above. In trolling with the hand-line, larger swivels may be used- -as Nos. 2 or 3. Brass swivels should always be

used, as they do not rust, a strong objection to steel swivels. When sinkers are used in addition, they should be attached about a foot above the swivel.

SINKERS.

Generally, in Black Bass angling, no sinker, in addition to the swivel, is necessary, the latter being heavy enough to keep the live bait beneath the surface. But there are cases and times when the sinker is brought in requisition; for example, when the minnows used for bait are large and strong and keep on the surface, or where the stream is quite rapid or current swift.

When the ordinary ringed-sinker is used without a swivel, the line should be tied in one ring, and the snell of the hook looped in the other. The smallest-sized sinker is usually heavy enough, though sometimes a larger size is necessary. Buckshot or small bullets should not be used when the oval sinker can be had, as they offer too much resistance to the water, and often cause the line to twist or kink.

The "Patent Adjustable Sinker," with spiral rings like the adjustable float, is the best form of sinker to use, and should take the place of the old-fashioned ringed leads. The simplicity and effectiveness of the device by which they can be put on and taken off the line, without dis

turbing hook or bait, should receive the approval of all anglers, and render their adoption universal. They insure neatness and dispatch, qualities not to be despised in angling.

CLEARING-RING.

The hook, in angling, often becomes fast or foul in snags, roots, rocks or grass, and frequently is thereby lost or broken, to the disgust of the angler. By the employment of a clearing-ring the hook can almost invariably be easily detached from these obstructions without damage. These are rings made expressly for the purpose, composed of brass or iron, with a hinge to admit of their being readily adjusted to the line. The method of using them is as follows:

The ring is opened at the hinge and the line encircled, when the ring is again closed, and allowed to run down the line to the point of obstruction; the weight of the ring detaches the hook, when it is drawn up, a hand-line being attached to the ring for this purpose. If the hook is very firmly fastened to the root or snag, the ring is raised a few feet by its cord and allowed to drop suddenly, when its weight will usually clear the hook. A very good substitute for the clearing-ring, and one easily obtained, is the ordinary bar of lead, used for making bullets. A hole is bored in the flat bar, through which the hand-cord is fastened. When used, the bar is bent around the fishing-line, forming a ring, and is very easily attached or detached.

DISGORGERS.

Very often a Bass is hooked in the gullet, and sometimes in the stomach, though the angler should never