54 THE PIKE. 



reel, for the reasons stated at the commencement of this 

 chapter. The pike fishermen of the Welsh Harp seem to 

 me to have a plan of throwing out a bait peculiar to them- 

 selves. In this case the line does not travel through the 

 rings of the rod. Like the Thames style, the line itself lays 

 in coils at the angler's feet ; but instead of using the rod as 

 the motive power of the cast, the bait, or at least the line 

 about a yard from the bait, is hung across a steel or brass 

 fork that is screwed firmly into the end of a staff like a land- 

 ing handle, and it is marvellous the distance an expert can 

 cast the bait, that is if line and all is clear and goes freely. 

 Another plan of casting out a bait that I have sometimes 

 seen is by having the line wound tightly on the left hand, 

 each fold of the line crossing the previous one, the hand 

 itself being moved in a peculiar manner as the line is coiled 

 on and the bait spun home. When the cast is made direct 

 from the rod point, the line unwinds itself off the angler's 

 hand and passes through the rings on the rod. When the 

 bait has reached its destination and is travelling home again, 

 the peculiar motion of the hand that gathers in the line fold 

 over fold causes the bait to travel in a manner that could 

 not hi imitated by any other plan. It is a wonderfully 

 killing style, and is adopted by some of the best minnow- 

 spinners for trout, as well as certain pike fishermen who de- 

 light to spin with a very small bait and fine lines and tackle. 



