92 



ANGLING FOR GAME FISH. 



should consist of 5ft. of moderately stout gut, tied together 

 with the knot shown on page 109, terminated by a small loop 

 at one end, for attachment to the reel-line, and a large loop 

 at the other, to which the flight is fastened. Three feet 

 from the large loop should be some such lead, with 

 brass swivels, as that shown on page 71. The lead should 

 always hang below the level of the line, whatever its shape 

 may be. Yery small leads should be used in the open stream, 

 but in the heavy waters of weirpools and milltails as much as 

 a ioz. lead may be necessary. The angler 

 should put just enough lead on to keep 

 the bait 1ft. or 2ft. below the surface. For 

 / casting from the reel, a Nottingham reel 



LA (see page 19) and line may be used; but as 



the greatest accuracy is often required 

 when spinning for trout, I think the 

 Thames plan preferable. The rod should 

 be long, light, and of bamboo, with a 

 greenheart top ; and it will be pleasant to 

 use if fitted with the rings, &c., illustrated 

 on page 16. The butt should terminate 

 with a large, soft, indiarubber knob. The 

 leading London tackle-makers keep excel- 

 lent Thames spinning-rods, and Mr. Barn- 

 bridge, of Eton, makes them a specialty. 

 The best baits are bleak or small dace in 

 the spring, and when the water is more or 

 less coloured; but in bright water a small gudgeon or stone- 

 roach is very killing, and in July a minnow often takes better 

 than anything else. Flights for minnows are described on 

 page 72. Of course, small baits can and should be mounted 

 on finer tackle than large ones ; but in the rough water of weir- 

 pools fairly stout gut may be used with impunity, and is often 

 necessary to hold large fish in such dangerous places. 



Spinning for Thames trout requires a good deal of practice. 

 Line should be pulled off the reel on to the floor of the 

 punt, and the bait cast out across and rather up stream, and 

 then be brought back to the angler, and Tiept continuously 



Fig. 61. Francis 

 Flight. 



