Pike. 



29 



and controlling the rate of revolu- 

 tion. It goes without saying that 

 this method requires considerable 

 practice. All the same, there are 

 anglers sufficiently proficient in 

 this style of casting, but they 

 have not learned the art in a day. 

 Messrs. Hardy Brothers " Silex " 

 reel is, in principle, the reverse of 

 the Nottingham. It is adjustable, 

 so that the normal revolution may 

 be stiff or easy. A turn of a screw 

 effects this, in which condition 

 the reel is silent. A lever is at- 



is made of aluminium alloy, ex- 

 tremely light, which is an advan- 

 tage to be appreciated in a long 

 day's fishing. It has an additional 

 adjustable speaking- check. The 

 best line for all-round pike fishing 

 is made of a soft-dressed silk 

 material. Oil-dressed lines have 

 a tendency to become sticky, 

 which is fatal to casting. Hardy 

 Brothers' New Indian is an excel- 

 lent make. No oil is used in its 

 manufacture. For live baiting, a 

 rub of a paraffin candle is all that 



(i) The Archer Spinner ; (2) Jardine's Snap Tackle ; (3) Pike Spoon ; (4) Hardy 

 Bros., " Crocodile" Spinner; (5) The new Rubber Swallow Tail. 



tached which releases the spring, 

 and the winch runs as freely as 

 the Nottingham make. In casting, 

 this lever is pressed by the fore- 

 finger of the left hand, and the 

 winch pays out the lines at the 

 swing of the rod. By this con- 

 trivance the reel is completely 

 under control, and the length of 

 the cast can be easily regulated. 

 There is no danger of over-running, 

 and long or short throws can be 

 effected without entanglement. It 



is necessary to make it float. 

 Messrs. C. Farlowand Co., Strand, 

 make a special soft-dressed solid- 

 plaited silk line for spinning and 

 live baiting, of which I have a 

 very high opinion. It is smooth 

 and pliable. I have submitted it 

 to several tests of heat and wet, 

 which have made no difference to 

 its quality ; there was no trace of 

 stickiness in either case. 



It will now be necessary to 

 describe in detail the various 



