CHAPTER X. 



TACKLE FOR SPINNING AND TROLLING. 



IN this chapter I throw the Esocidce and Salmonidce families together, 

 because the applicability of the principles and designs of certain portions 

 -of the tackle used in their capture extends equally to each member of both 

 families. Thus for example, a spinning trace or flight for pike will, so far 

 -as principle and design are concerned, serve for the capture of a sea 

 trout or salmon. Similarly with but slight alteration of detail, and 

 none of principle, a salmon fly will take a pike, although not unfailingly 

 it must be said. 



Spinning and trolling are commonly included in one category, because, 

 as before explained, the verb "to troll " simply is from the French troler, 

 to lead about. Spinning explains itself to the initiated, and to the 

 uninitiated I may say it implies the use of a bait that spins. All this 

 may seem redundant, but as so many words in the English language, 

 though professing to show their meaning, nevertheless do not, I am 

 constrained to descend to such simple exposition. 



Spinning and trolling in ordinary practice consists of the use of the 

 spinning bait and the gorge bait. The former spins as intimated, the latter 

 does not, but is worked with a sort of "sink and draw," motion explained 

 in the chapter on Pike. I shall commen-e with the former of the two. 



Spinning. This style of fishing requires the same principles throughout 

 for both pike and the Salmonidce the difference in the tackle simply 

 consisting of variations in size. 



Naturally the first consideration is a selection of the best arrangement 

 of hook for the impalement and retention of the bait, the proper gyration 

 or spin of the same, and the most certain capture of the fish which seizes 

 it. Now, what is the best arrangement ? 



In order to answer this question it is necessary that the reader should 

 see the old fashioned, and even now much used, Thames flight (p. 415). 



