CHAPTER II. 



TACKLE FOB BOTTOM FISHING. 



Rods — Bod-fittings — Heels and Winches — Running Lines — 

 HooTcs — Gut, Hair, Knots, and Leads — Float Tackle and Floats 

 Leger and Paternoster — Landing-net, &c., &c. 



BFORE we go a-fishing a visit lias to be paid 

 to tlie tackle-sliop, and about the first tbing 

 we buy is 



The Hod. — At the present day a most 

 marvellous and almost bewildering assort- 

 ment of fishing-rods are offered for sale, 

 adapted to every conceivable purpose. The 

 use of a rod is to strike in the hook, to 

 keep an even strain on a fish's mouth, and to guide him 

 from weeds, old stumps and other dangers, safely into the 

 landing-net — in anglers' language, to "play" him. If our 

 tackle is strong, and we are thus able to put a great deal 

 of pressure on the fish, we can use a stiff rod; but if our 

 tackle is fine, and the pressure on the fish has to be of a 

 very gentle character, it becomes very desirable to have a 

 light, pliant, yielding rod. Of the twelve fish with which we 

 are now concerned, roach, dace, perch, rudd, and gudgeon 

 require a light rod, with a not too stiff top, as they are 

 fished for with very fine tackle, the line being often nothing 

 more than a hair from a stallion's tail. The other fish, which 

 run to a considerable size, of course require something stronger 

 and stouter. The choice of a rod is somewhat a matter of 

 fancy, no two anglers quite agreeing as to what is best ; 

 but I am inclined to think that a very light South Caro- 



