Fish and Fishing 



without seeing it measured. A flat rule measures 

 about an inch short on a curved fish. To meas- 

 ure a fish fair and true the tape should be placed 

 on the tip of the snout to the middle of 

 the tail, not either of the tail tips. 



A useful little device, furnished by 

 Wm, Mills & Sons, is a "line re- 

 leaser." The beginner, especially, will 

 find it a mighty good investment. The 

 casts of flies hanging on over- 



head branches, along well- 



"Line 

 Releaser" 



fished streams, tell the tale 



of the need of such a device. The 

 "releaser" is inserted on the tip of the 

 rod, under the rubber band, and the rod raised 

 for the cutter to straddle the twig; then with- 

 draw the rod and a sharp pull on the string 

 cuts the twig, and saves the flies and leader. 



Another good article for bot- 

 tom-bait anglers is the "clear- 

 ing ring." The hook too 

 frequently becomes fast on 



rocks or snags at the 

 Ring's'"^ bottom. The ring 



is run down the line 

 to the obstruction and its 

 weight detaches the hook. A 

 hand line is fastened to the 

 rinff to draw it up. If the 



Clearing ring. 



'8 7 -" up 



hook is firmly fastened the ring can be raised a 

 few feet by the cord and allowed to drop suddenly 

 to clear the hook. This same device is as ser- 



272 



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