CHAP, iv.] HOW TO FISH. 159 



or gaff, such as is used in salmon- fishing, is useful, as, in the 

 event of hooking a conger or a ray, there is much difficulty, 

 and even some danger. 



In fishing for lythe the most exciting of all sea-angling 

 a very strong cord is used, 011 which, in order to prevent 

 the fouling of the line, one or two stout swivels are attached. 

 The hooks also cannot be too strong ; those used for cod or 

 ling fishing are very suitable. The baits in general 

 use are the body of a small eel, about half a foot in 

 length, skinned and tied to the shaft ; or a strip of 

 red cloth, or a red or white feather similarly attached. 

 A piece of lead is fixed on the line at a short distance 

 above the hook. 



The boat must be rowed or sailed at a moderate 

 rate, and from five or ten fathoms of the line allowed 

 to trail behind. The boat end of the line should be 

 turned once or twice round the arm, and held tightly 

 in the hand ; if the line were fastened to the boat, 

 there is every chance that a large lythe and they are 

 frequently caught upwards of thirty pounds weight 

 would snap the tackle. The fish, when hooked, gives 

 considerable play, and rather strongly objects to being lifted 

 into the boat. The clip or gaff is in this case always neces- 

 sary. In fishing for lythe, mackerel and dogfish are not un- 

 frequently caught. The best place for prosecuting this sport 

 is in the neighbourhood of a rocky shore ; and the best times 

 of the day are the early morning and evening. This fish will 

 also take readily during any period of a dull but not gloomy 

 day. 



The most amusing kind of sea-angling is fly-fishing for 

 small lythe and saithe (coal-fish). The tackle is exceedingly 

 simple : a rod consisting of a pliant branch about eight feet 

 in length ; a line of light cord of the same length, and a small 

 hook roughly busked with a small white, red, or black feather. 



