** THE BEST SPINNEES IN THE WORLD." 93 



spinning by alternate pulls of the rod and draws of tlie line 

 through the rings with the left hand. The line should pass 

 over the finger of the right hand holding the rod. In the 

 Nottingham style, the cast is made off the reel, which is 

 checked at the end of the cast, or when a fish is running, by 

 a finger placed lightly on the rim of the reel. The two 

 methods are explained at considerable length in "Angling 

 for Pike." When fishing in rapid-running water, the bait 

 may be pulled slowly, and the line worked into the palm 

 of the left hand. For the Nottingham method, the line 

 should not be dressed, but for the Thames style a dressed 

 line is necessary. 



When fishing weirpools, it should be borne in mind that 

 trout will be found near the lasher up to about two o'clock, 

 but after that work out into shallower water at the tail of 

 the pool. When the water is thick, the bait should be spun 

 over shallows, and as near the bank as possible. To stand 

 on the top of a weir is a mistake ; the body is outlined against 

 the sky, and the fish see it. It is usually far better to fish 

 from a punt. In April and May, the weir-fisher will occa- 

 sionally find his bait taken by large barbel and chub. 



Of artificial spinning baits, I give the palm to the Devon, 

 but the light quill minnow, which can be cast like a fly, is 

 occasionally very killing (see page 74). Finally, as to spinning, 

 let me say that the Thames fishermen are the best spinners 

 in the world, and that a beginner in the art cannot put him- 

 self under better masters I 



Live-baiting for Thames Trent is, I am sorry to say^ 

 getting a common practice. The 

 tackle consists of a fine, undressed 

 silk line, a very small float, 2yds. 

 of fine but sufficiently strong gut, 

 and, if the bait is a minnow, a single 

 hook, to be put through both lips ; if 

 it is anything large, a small lip-hook, 

 Fig. 62. A New Triangle, and a triangle, which is placed near 

 the back fin. In lieu of the ordinary 

 triangle, I prefer a small edition of one I invented for pike- 



