ANGLING FOR SMELTS. 53 



than two thicknesses of ordinary sewing thread; and if this 

 fine line is used, a small pistol bullet is a sufficient weight. If 

 a coarser line is used, a lead weighing a half-ounce or an 

 ounce will be necessary, or the line will not run through the 

 rings of the rod. The best baits for sand-smelts are either 

 small pieces of ragworm or unboiled shrimp, and the hook should 

 just be tipped with the bait. As many of the bites cannot be 

 felt on the paternoster, and as the fish, when plentiful, and 

 in the humour, bite very freely, it is a good plan to strike 

 every few seconds, when fish will often be found hooked. This 

 is usually done; but I am inclined to think that, with an 

 exceedingly fine, undressed silk main line, such as Nottingham 

 anglers use for chub fishing, and a light cane rod, most of 

 the bites can be felt. I fish that way myself; but whichever 

 method is followed, the result will be very much the same. 

 Ground-bait is sometimes used for smelt fishing; but as a 

 rule it is not necessary. If there is no current, a little can 

 be thrown in occasionally, and allowed to sink; but if the 

 stream is strong, it should be put in a net, and sunk a few 

 feet below the surface, near the hooks. The spots in harbours 

 where smelts are mostly found are near the outfalls of drains, 

 ditches, and streams of fresh water. The true smelt is not 

 often found on the South Coast, but the atherine, or sand- 

 smelt, abounds. On the East and West Coasts the atherine is 

 wanting, and the smelt plentiful. These fish are more often 

 angled for in harbours than elsewhere; but they are also 

 taken in bays and up creeks. 



So far I have only dealt with fishing in harbours and from 

 pier-heads. In some places, angling may be carried on success- 

 fully from the open shore. Fly fishing from rocky points for 

 bass and pollack will be found described in Chapters V. and 

 YI. A paternoster can be used where it can be got out into 

 deep water. Those narrow inlets of the sea, such as one 

 meets with in Scotland, where they are called sea lochs, often 

 afford very fair rod fishing from the shore, as the water runs 

 deep in many places close to the edge. Whatever baits can 

 be obtained may be tried, especially the mussel; and the fish 

 taken will vary according to the locality. In some places 



