THE PIKE. 



49 



peculiar in the extreme, but his worst enemy (if he had one) 

 could not say that he was a bad thrower. Personally, in 

 giving practical lessons in this style, I found that the greater 

 number of my pupils could manage the right-handed cast 

 much quicker and easier than any other ; but it needs prac- 

 tise, and practice alone, to make a man perfectly master of 

 the style. But there is one comforting thought in the whole 

 business, it is as easy as A B C when you once know how, 

 and it is not at all difficult to learn. The main thing to be 

 observed and impressed most strongly upon the would-be 

 spinner, is to grip the rod firmly with the right hand the 

 proper distance above the reel, and with the fingers of the 

 left regulate the speed of the revolving barrel, and he should 

 also bear in mind most strongly that while the bait is travel- 

 ling towards its destination, the slight pressure of the finger 

 on the edge of the reel must always be there, regulated ac- 

 cording to size of bait and weight of lead. If a heavy 

 natural bait a little more pressure must be applied, and if it 

 is a light artificial bait a little less pressure will be ample, 

 as a light bait takes more force than a heavy one to start it 

 upon its journey. In using a natural bait, say a small dace 

 of from one-and-a-half to two ounces in weight, a gentle 

 throw with an easy swing will be all that is required to get 

 it out a moderate distance, say from 25 to 30 yards, pro- 

 vided the reel is an easy-running one and the line moderately 

 fine. It is not advisable to exercise tremendous force in 

 casting out a natural bait, for various reasons; not much 

 would be gained in the distance cast for one thing, and a 

 sudden jerk, which is always liable to happen when extra 

 force is applied, might buckle up and spoil the shape of the 

 bait. I found on several occasions that the longest cast was 

 made with the easiest swing, that is when bait has been 

 fairly heavy. On the other hand a light lead and small arti- 

 ficial bait of not more than one ounce in weight altogether 

 would have to be started much smarter upon its journey — 

 more force is necessary in this instance. The gentle throw 

 or swing that would be ample in the case of a very heavy 

 bait would not cause the reel to commence running with 

 sufficient speed for the light bait to travel the requisite dis- 

 tance. 



B 



