LEGER, PATERNOSTER, AND LANDING-NET. 27 



rod, yet so large that it -will not slip through, the rings on 

 the float. The use of these floats will be described 

 later on. For a beginner, the purchase of three 

 quills of different sizes will probably be found 

 sufficient. Five feet is an average length of gut 

 to have between the hook and the running line. 



The Leger and Paternoster. — These quaintly- 

 named pieces of tackle are used for fishing without 

 a float — on the bottom and just off the bottom 

 respectively. Fig. 15 shows very clearly the con- 

 struction of the leger. The lead works on a foot 

 of the finest patent gimp, at each end of which 

 is a bead or split shots. The hook above the 

 lead is usually omitted, except in winter fishing, 

 when a live-bait is put on it, and a worm on the 

 lower hook. The leger is made light or heavy 

 according to the strength of the stream. In some 

 cases only a light pistol-bullet is used, and the 

 gimp omitted. The gut below the lead should be 

 at least 36in. in length, above it, about 24in. 

 The paternoster, being used almost entirely for 

 perch-fishing, will be found described in Chapter IV. 



Landing-net. — A most useful affair for lifting 

 fish into the boat or on to the bank when hooked. 

 The larger the ring of the net is, up to a diameter 

 of 18in., the better. The angler must be the judge 

 of how much he likes to burden himself with when 

 he goes fishing. If he has to carry his own im- 

 pedimenta, he will probably prefer a small net, but 

 if he fishes from a punt, a large one. The landing- 

 nets used by Thames puntsmen are usually of large 

 mesh, mounted on an iron ring 18in. in diameter, 

 which is lashed on to a 6ft. ash pole. Of the light 

 folding-nets, I think the " Hi Regan," recently 



Fig 15^ The V^^^^^^^ ^7 Warner & Sons, of Redditch, is the best. 

 Leger. A very inexpensive folding-net is made in the shape 



of a triangle, two sides of which are of wood, the other of light 



