116 THE PRACTICAL FISHERMAN. 



and, if his rod be sufficiently stiff, he invariably hooks the fish, but, if 

 too pliant, the upward movement of the wrist in striking is not instantly 

 communicated to the top of the rod because of, as it were, the wave of 

 vibration mechanically affecting the tapered wood so slowly as to require 

 some parts of a second to traverse to the top ; and in such case, of course* 

 the bait is blown out ere its movement takes place. In the case of the 

 stiff rod the movement of the top is simultaneous with that of the butt in 

 the angler's hand. 



This description of rod, it must be borne in mind, is only applicable 

 to roach fishing proper, or tight line angling, and of CQurse is not suitably 

 for general purposes. There are spots on the Lea where roach are invariable 

 only caught, and where, from the spots being constantly fished, only the 

 expert roach fisher can expect to stand a chance. Of various other places 

 the same may be said. Tight line fishing, therefore, gives the sport par 

 excellence in such circumstances, and for such a purpose I have found the 

 "telescope " rod to answer admirably. Allow me to inform anglers also 

 that there is very much more " art " in landing a 21b. barbel from your 

 roach swim with a tight than with a running line. This, however, by 

 the way. 



When it is determined to use tackle allowing of a running line in 

 preference to risking the alternative of Izaak Walton, on hooking an 

 unmanageable fish namely, of throwing the rod in the water I may 

 mention to intending roach fishers that Messrs. Carter and Son, of 

 Islington, have brought out a capital portable and strangely light roach 

 rod. This is 20ft. long, and only weighs l|lb. It is so arranged when 

 not in use that the two bottom joints between them contain the rest. 

 This butt is 4ft. Gin. long, and but l|in. in diameter in the largest part. 

 I should say this is not a very saleable class of rod, but nevertheless is 

 a capital sort for the exclusive roach fisher. 



Another kind of tackle for open water, and which is often eminently suc- 

 cessful, is the Nottingham running tackle. As my readers are doubtless 

 aware, the motto of the famous Trent anglers is " fine and far off." The 

 Nottingham roach rod is adapted necessarily for striking from long dis- 

 tances. The scope of this tackle is large, but is not, I conceive, specially 

 suitable for the localities in which the best and most fish are to be found. 



My idea of the winch and to fish with a winch is the safest, if not the 

 most sporting way is that it should be small and as light as possible. 

 Any additional weight to the butt of the well-made roach rod interferes 

 with its balance ; therefore the smallest, to hold the finest line, is most 

 suitable. It should be of brass, and with no internal mechanism, such as 

 cogs and wheels, for multiplying or checking its coiling power. These 

 rust, being usually of steel, and get out of order, or if of brass or gun 



