218 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 
Bottom-fishing is divided into two classes: the old 
style, or ordinary bottom-fishing, and the new style, or 
“Nottingham fishing.” These two methods of float- 
fishing differ mainly in their details of manipulation. 
And as by one or other of them are principally taken 
all coarse river and pond fish, except Pike, a preliminary 
description of each system will save repetition in the 
succeeding chapters. 
ORDINARY BOTTOM FISHING 
Is practised with a rod, line, and float; split shot 
being attached to the line at a distance of from one 
to two feet above the hook to sink the bait, and partially 
sink—A nglice, “ cock” —the float. Sometimes a reel and 
tunning-line are used, and sometimes not ; but the former 
plan has this advantage, that whilst a reel and running- 
line are never really in the way, their absence is often 
attended with serious practical inconvenience and loss 
of fish. 
Robs. 
All sorts of rods are used according to the fancy of the 
angler, but the general rod already described (p. 51) con - 
tains all that is necessary ; and indeed by a change of 
butts and tops embraces varieties of length and stiffness 
‘adapted to every description of bait and circumstance. 
LINES. 
The best and cheapest reel line for ordinary bottom 
