166 LONDON ANGLER'S BOOK, 



from the hook, the others about an inch apart, ten inches 

 above the first ; the size of the shot must accord with the 

 size of your line, that and the float always regulated by 

 the strength, depth, &c. of the stream, and the kind of 

 fish you are angling for. 



RUNNING LINE 



I have already described that a running line is neces- 

 sary for Jack and fly fishing, but a fine running line of 

 twisted silk will answer best for Barbel, Carp, and Chub. 



GUT AND HAIR LINES 



I keep in lengths of about four feet, which can be 

 easily joined to suit your purpose, and two orthree lengths 

 of hair twisted, about the same size, will make a good 

 top for either a single hair or fine gut bottom ; your line 

 should always be as short as circumstances will allow. 



CLEARING RING AND DRAG 



Should always be in the possession of an Angler, the 

 drag being useful in trolling and fly fishing, the clearing 

 ring in bottom fishing. The clearing rings sold in the 

 shops are not made properly, as the thin part is not half 

 thin enough to go into the bend of the fastened hook, 

 and the heavy part not weighty enough : the proper use 

 of the clearing ring is for the purpose of, by suddenly 

 dropping it down inside of the bend, to draw the hook 

 out of what it may be fastened to, and at all events you 

 will only lose the hook ; but the rings generally used 

 are too thick to go into the bend, and they fret and rub 

 the bottom of the line, and are very frequently useless : 



