When I was young and agile my favourite method was using the real minnow off the fly rod. Would catch them with my landing net and killed and kept fresh in moss in a tin. As the years go by I now only fish with the fly as it is a lot easier. Days with the minnin/stick bait/ gadger are over.
However I always left the river as undisturbed as possible. Nowadays I see some fishers fishing Czech nymph style wading all over the pool spoiling it for others.
Fishing with the baits taught you how to stalk and hunt your quarry and in my opinion gave you a great respect for your quarry.
Old Bob.