92 PRACTICAL LESSONS IN RIVER ANGLING. 



The line may be a foot or two longer than the 

 rod when the stream is gravelly and open, and the 

 water rather clear ; but where there are many bushes 

 or trees, or when the water is thick and muddy, the 

 line may be as much shorter than the rod. In an open 

 river it is best to let the point of the rod go before the 

 body, keeping the lead upon the gravel. Carry the top 

 of the rod even with the hand, beginning at the head 

 of the stream, and letting the bait run downwards, as 

 far as the rod and line will permit, the lead dragging 

 and rolling on the ground. No more of the line must 

 be in the water than will permit the lead to touch the 

 bottom, yet the line is to be kept as straight as possible. 



In ground-fishing, as well as in most sorts of angling, 

 the line is apt to get entangled among weeds or rubbish, 

 in which case it is necessary to run down the line 

 what is termed a clearing ring, for the purpose of dis- 

 engaging it. 



Clearing ring. 



