206 THE TROLLER S GUIDE. 



little finger j the top joint should have two rings 3 the 

 top one nearly three times the size of the other. (See 

 the cut, Chap. VI. of a Trolling Rod, Line, and Traces, with 

 gorge-hook baited.) This prevents any obstruction to the 

 line running, which is of material consequence. I have 

 two tops to my trolling rod, which I always carry 

 Avith me, in case of breaking one, &c. : one is made 

 very flexible, with wood and a whalebone tip, about two 

 feet long 5 to this, for strength and security, I have a 

 ring on the wood part as well as the large one at the 

 whalebone tip : this top I always use when trolling 

 with the gorge-bait, or when fishing with live-bait 3 

 the other top is made wholly of stout whalebone, about 

 one foot long ; this I only use when snap-fishing, 

 which it is well calculated for, by its superior strength 

 and stiffness. 



Those Anglers who may object to have such large 

 rings as I have described fastened on their rods, so as 

 always to stand out instead of laying close to the rod, 

 because they prevent the several joints packing one 

 within another, and, in consequence, augment the bulk 

 to be carried, going to and from trolling, can have such 

 rings, if they prefer them to those which lay close, 

 fixed to metal ferrels, made to fit each joint of the rod, 

 which they may carry in their pocket, and put theni on 

 or off at the commencement, and leaving off trolling or 

 Jack-fishing, excepting the top joint, which, with the 

 rings on, will pack in the butt or largest joint of the 

 trolling rod J or, by using such rings and ferrels, a Roach- 

 rod may be used for trolling, leaving out the weak top 



