SPINNING. ISI 
have little doubt that in open water that weight might 
be doubled, or even trebled with safety. But properly- 
ited and handled, mark: for it is a great mistake to 
assume, as I have often heard fishermen do, that because 
a single-gut casting line will kill a Salmon—the gamer 
fish of the two—a fortiori, it will kill a Pike of equal 
size. With the same rod, and in the same water, it will 
do so no doubt. There is, however, a wide distinction to 
be drawn between a stiff three-joint trolling rod, and a 
twenty foot “ Castle Connell,” and a vast difference be- 
tween a clear Highland Salmon river, and: the weedy, 
often foul waters, usually tenanted by overgrown Pike. 
The stiffness of the rod renders the line liable to sudden 
jerks and strains, whilst the sharp blow which is abso- 
lutely necessary for properly striking a fish, is the 
most trying ordeal to which any knotted tackle can be 
subjected. But the thing is to be done, notwith- 
standing. Two essentials only besides good manage- 
ment are required—a rod-top of the proper stiffness, 
and the peculiar description of gut knotting described 
at page 55. 
LEADS. 
For observations on the subject of leads generally, 
and for a description and diagram of the pattern which 
is recommended to be used for all kinds of spinning 
traces, the reader is referred to the preliminary chapter, 
pp. 18-20. 
