34 FISH : THEIR HABITS AND HAUNTS. 



something longer. The rod for roach or 

 dace should be of bamboo-cane ; and, if for 

 bank-fishing, from eighteen to twenty feet 

 long; but if for angling from a punt, not 

 more than eleven or twelve feet. It must 

 be very light, perfectly taper, and of a proper 

 degree of elasticity, as the angler's success 

 in roach or dace-fishing depends upon his 

 dexterity and quickness in striking when he 

 has a bite. Many anglers never fish with- 

 out running-tackle, that they may be always 

 prepared to encounter a large fish ; but they 

 must not hope to meet with the same sport 

 in roach and dace-fishing as those who use 

 a light rod, without rings, and a short line, 

 with which the chance of striking the fish 

 is much more certain. 



The best lines for running-tackle are com- 

 pounded of silk and hair of different degrees 

 of strength and thickness, according to the 

 purpose for which they are intended. For 

 salmon-fishing a strong "wind," large enough 



