TACKLE FOR SPINNING AND TROLLING. 433 



sufficiently sticky, i.e., nearly dry, gold leaf may be applied to one side 

 and bronze dust to the other. The result is a most attractive looking 

 pike bait. Of course hooks, as in the case of the foregoing artificial 

 baits, must be attached to the body, head, and tail, and also a swivel 

 at the top, and a length of gimp. By experimenting with a gutta 

 percha bait first, as to the exact twist of the bait necessary for a 

 correct spin, some disappointment may be avoided with the vulcanite, 

 the former material being much more tractable, though it does not 

 hold its shape so long, and, consequently, is by no means so satisfactory 

 as the latter. 



The proprietor of the Fishing Gazette has registered a spinner which 

 exhibits considerable ingenuity. It is intended to be lined with a set of 

 hooks, on which the fish is simply impaled, not bent or placed in any way 

 to cause a spinning motion. This movement the spinner is designed to 

 accomplish. Its shape is based on that of a steamer screw, and the size 

 is from half to two inches in diameter. There are four flanges, and its 

 general appearance reminds me of an old-fashioned ventilator, which one 

 sees spinning round in old houses, turned by the wind. In practice it 

 spins the bait perfectly, and as it is put on the trace about five inches 

 from the bait, the pursuing fish would not be likely to be greatly 

 deterred. My only fear about the arrangement is that a fish rising 

 from the bottom upwards might notice when it passed between the sun 

 and himself. 



Since writing the above paragraph, I have had my fears as to the 

 obtrusiveness of this spinner more than once realised. If the reader will 

 endeavour to understand the position of a fish pursuing the bait, he 

 will see that if any part of the attached tackle should by accident 

 pass between himself and the sun, the shadow it throws will be instantly 

 seen. The designer urges that it cannot be seen because its rapid 

 revolutions render it invisible. This I admit is so, so far as the angler 

 looking down at right angles to its course is concerned. But suppose a 

 fish even in an oblique line with its course, surely it would notice two 

 inches of round opaque metal ! Anyhow, the following incident occurred 

 to me at Staines some time back : My friend was fishing from above 

 down stream ; I was standing some distance from him looking up. 

 Presently I saw the unmistakable figure of a pike rise to his bait, follow 

 it as it slowly passed through the water for the ' ' spinner ' ' does not admit 

 of rapid drawing in a quick stream. The fish actually made a dart at the 

 spinner, and was by the merest chance taken on the lip hook of the bait 

 below. Ergo, the fish must have seen it ; ergo, it is certainly not 

 advisable to use an artificial arrangement of the pattern of the Fishing 

 Gazette spinner. However, sport has been obtained by its agency, and I 



