SPINNING. 185 
rapid spin is gained by the one, the effect of the other is 
little better than a “ wobble.” 
These are the obvious theoretical objections to the 
Nottingham style, as a system, which must occur to any 
one accustomed to the Thames method of spinning. It 
is much to be doubted, however, whether practically it 
would be found even feasible with the small baits and 
very light leads and traces constantly used on the 
Thames and other fine waters. With such a bait and 
trace, weighing together exactly I oz. 2 scruples, I have 
made a cast of forty-two yards (measured), which I 
should say would be entirely out of the question if the 
same bait were thrown from the reel. The weight of 
the bait and trace used by Mr. Bailey, and of which I 
obtained patterns from him, is 3} oz., or nearly three 
times as much. 
With regard to the direction in which to cast a spin- 
ning bait, opinions differ somewhat. In stagnant waters 
_no difficulty can of course be felt, as the simple and 
obvious rule is to cast over the place in which the fish 
are most likely to be ; but with rivers the case is diffe- 
rent, and the cast straight across stream, and that 
straight down stream have both their advocates. As in 
many other matters I believe that the truth lies midway 
between the two extremes, and that putting aside ex- 
ceptional circumstances, which of course make their 
own rules, the best direction in which to cast with 
the spinning bait over running water is dzagonally— 
