280 THE PRACTICAL FISHERMAN. 



correct " spin," the better for the chance of capture. I never rise any 

 other if I can help it, and having tested its value in a hundred different 

 ways, I am prepared to vouch for it, notwithstanding the seeming egotism 

 of so doing. 



The most suitable flight, in my opinion, has yet to be devised. I do 

 not like Mr. PennelPs flight, because of the loose hook, and because I 

 really have missed so many fish, in spite of this flying triangle. The old 

 Thomas flight of nine well tempered triangles, and my style of lip-hook, 

 are the nearest to perfection I know of ; and if a real Thames fisherman is 

 allowed to put on the 4in. bleak or dace, I ask for no more elegant spin. 

 I admit his arguments against a number of triangles in the case of pike, 

 but, in reference to the comparatively soft mouth of the Thames trout, 

 they do not exhibit force, and I, as well from experience as theory, beg 

 to differ. 



So much for spinning. Let us now go into the case of live-baiting. 

 Mighty and fierce have been the battles fought of yore in the piscatorial 

 literature of the day about the sportsmanlike or unsportsmanlike character 

 of this form of fishing. I frankly state I am a partisan whose opinions 

 have been frequently mauled in this matter by the princes of piscatorial 

 rhetoric. I will try, however, to weigh the pros and cons fairly. First, 

 however, what sort of tackle is used ? I always use a single No. 2 hook, 

 which is attached to an unweighted trace of often drawn gut. This is 

 in turn attached to a thin Nottingham line, no thicker than sewing silk, 

 and a reel which likewise in turn is attached to a Nottingham deal and 

 lance rod. My rod is light enough for fly-fishing. Here we have 

 apparatus of an exceeding fragile character, giving the greatest possible 

 chance to the fish, and handicapping the angler more heavily than in any 

 other kind of fishing. Yet, forsooth, it has been denounced by those who 

 cannot use it as of a poaching nature. 



This is how it is used. Thames trout feed ordinarily at intervals, 

 which are calculable. Thus, although I do not aver they do not break 

 the rule, usually, if a fish is seen feeding at seven o'clock at night, he 

 will feed on the next evening at almost the same time ; similarly at 

 morning or any other time of the day. This being so, the live baitar, 

 having ascertained the usual time of feeding, anchors his punt above the 

 spot where 8. fairo is wont to rise, at a distance of nearly twenty yards 

 perhaps more, according to the exigencies of stream and other con- 

 siderations impossible of enumeration here. He lets out the bait to 

 which he pays the line until it is perhaps half a dozen yards below the 

 said noted rising place. Presently the trout feeds, and piscator instantly 

 reels up the bait till the exact spot is reached, and waits. The next time 

 the trout takes a bait it probably takes the one which is attached to the 



