THE PREVENTION OP KINKING. 67 



Gazette Spinner — a small, Archimedean screw, which is placed 

 on the line some distance above the bait, and causes it to re- 

 volve. 



The Trace is the portion of the line between the flight and 

 the running tackle. It consists of a lead to sink the bait, 

 swivels, and two lengths of gut or gimp. If gimp is preferred, I 

 can strongly recommend Warner's patent wire-centred gimp for 

 the purpose. It is so strong that the finest size (000) can be 

 used; it should, of course, be stained (see page 32). About the 

 same thickness is stout salmon-gut, which is also frequently 

 made up into traces. It should be soaked in ink (see p. 38) for a 

 few minutes, to give it a neutral tint, and then washed in cold 

 water. The lengths should be tied together by the knot shown in 

 Fig. 17 (page 38), but before being tied they should be well 

 soaked. At one time I always used twisted gut for traces, but 

 now prefer the patent gimp; it is less expensive than gut, 

 more durable, stronger, and equally fine. 



Fig. 38. Improved Lead for Spinning Traces. 



The best form of lead for the trace is that shown in Fig. 38. 

 It is made by Farlow & Co., and has probably had more thought 

 expended on its production than any other piece of pike- 

 tackle. For many years sea-fishermen, when mackerel- fishing* 

 have been in the habit of arranging their sinkers below the 

 line, so that the line could not twist; and the principle 

 has now, thanks mainly to Mr. Cholmondeley-Pennell,* found 

 its way into fresh-water fishing. It is the only way to prevent 

 kinking. It is important to have two swivels immediately 

 below the lead. 1 prefer brass swivels, as they do not rusfc, 

 and I have never found them break. They should, as I have 

 already said, be stained in the same manner as gimp. 

 These leads, with swivels attached, should be kept in several 

 sizes, as with a large bait a heavy lead is required, with a 



* Mr. Pennell's latest idea is a " solid, half-sugarloaf-shaped lead." I much 

 prefer the one illustrated. 



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