_BOTTOM OR FLOAT FISHING, _ 228 
SHOT. 
The shot should be sufficient to submerge about three- 
fourths of the length of the float; and their position on 
the line should be regulated according to the nature of 
the water. Instill water, the bulk of the shot should be 
about two feet from the bait, a single small shot being 
placed midway, to insure the bait itself sinking with 
tolerable certainty and rapidity. In rivers where the 
stream is deep or strong, it will commonly be found 
most convenient to place the shot 2bout a foot above the 
hook with a single shot midway as before. 
The object being to “cock” the float, and at the same 
time sink the bait to the required depth, these points 
being attained, of course the further the shots are away 
from the bait the better. A few medium sized shot show 
less than a number of small ones. 
“ NOTTINGHAM FISHING.” 
One portion of what is known as Nottingham fishing is 
the throwing from the ree/—trusting, that is, to the weight 
of the bait and float, and the impetus given by casting, 
to draw off from the reel, as the line is thrown, as much 
of the latter as may be required for each cast. For the 
reasons already given with reference to the application 
of this method of casting to Pike fishing (p. 185), I con- 
sider it in every way a mistake in theory, and, as 
applied to light float tackle, usually an impossibility in 
practice. 
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