88 The North Country Angler. 



the thick end, to stick into the bank or sand. 



Half of these rods are much finer than the other 



half, to suit the lines I put to them. To the 



stronger, I have twelve hairs next the hooks ; 



to the finer only six. My lines are just the 



length of my rods, with a loop at each end, 



about an inch long, neatly wrapped; for the 



stronger rods, my lines are eighteen hairs at the 



top, and fifteen at the bottom, engine-twisted : 



and for the finer rods, twelve hairs at the top, 



and nine at the bottom. I lead my lines upon 



the wrapping of the loop at the lower end. For 



my stronger tackling, I have a long plait of 



twelve hairs a little taper : I wrap on a sizeable 



hook to each end ; then I double the plait at the 



thicker end, and make a loop about six inches 



from the hook ; this loop I put through the loop 



of the line, and then put both the hooks through 



it and draw it close, to make the whole line as 



if all of a piece. My finer plaits of six hairs, I 



make in the same manner, with less hooks. 



My baits are maiden lobs or sod worms, well 



scoured in moss. 



This way is only for two hooks at a line, 

 which is the easiest and best way, especially, after 

 the eels begin to plague the angler. I know the 

 places where I fish, and always choose the sandy 

 side of a stream or pool, though very shallow, 

 for the fish will then draw very near the side, to 

 be more out of the strength of the current, and 

 to feed more quietly. Sometimes, I put on 

 another link, with two hooks, like that at the 

 end of my line, looping it on to the line at the 

 wrapping next above the lead; for I make all 



