FROM LAND AND PIER 219 



being drawn through. To ascertain the exact length of line 

 required, pace the distance between a few yards above high- 

 water mark down to the spot on which the stone is to be 

 placed ; you will want a little more than double as much line. 

 It is, of course, necessary to drive in a post or to have some 

 heavy stone on the beach to which to fasten the shore portion 

 of the line. Where the sea recedes a great distance, it is a 

 simple matter to lay a long line on the shore near low-water 

 mark. This will catch fish at night and a few in the day-time, 

 but it is poor sport. 



As I expect this chapter will be one of the most useful in 

 the whole book to the coming generation, I. would like to 



OUTHAUL BULTER 



say a few words here to the boys. My advice is this : Learn all 

 you can as to the tides whether the fishing is best at the 

 spring tide or the neaps. If it is best at the springs, then do 

 not miss going a-fishing when the moon is full or new. Ask 

 the fishermen what is about, and do not let them laugh you 

 out of using fine tackle ; the laugh will probably end in being 

 on your side. Do not make any mistake as to season. For 

 instance, do not be satisfied with some general reply as to the fish 

 which are caught at any particular place ; find out during which 

 months they frequent that part of the coast. If you are at the 

 seaside in winter and are told that the place is good for bass, 

 ask whether there are any bass about then. Whatever fish are 



