ROD & CREEL 23 



of the bars should have stiff pieces of leather fastened to them 

 to use as brakes. Anything but the very best of metal reels 

 should be avoided as they will not stand the strain. The safest 

 reel of any for the man who cannot afford to pay a big price 

 for a metal reel is a six-inch Nottingham with brass lining. Tf 

 the line is taken off immediately after using and dried and the 

 reel carefully wiped, they will last a long time. Avoid multi- 

 plying reels or anything that is not perfectly simple. 



Lines. Nothing will beat cutty hunk. You should have 

 200 yards and certainly not less than 150 yards of No. 21. This 

 can be obtained "braided" and it kinks much less than the 

 twisted. The last fifty yards should be well waxed, it will not 

 only reduce kinking but help to keep it drier. 



Traces. Four feet of piano wire with three swivels is all 

 that is needed. 



Baits. This is really the most important part of your 

 whole outfit as unless your bait works perfectly you are not 

 likely to catch tyees though you may an occasional cohoe. 



At the present time there has been nothing devised which 

 will beat what used to be called a "Stewart." These baits are 

 now made in various patterns by different firms, but they all 

 work on the same principle. A year or so ago not one out of 

 ten would stand up well, that is, work on their edge and not on 

 the flat. Lately, however, one or two local firms have been 

 turning out some very good patterns, their chief fault being 

 they are made for motor-boat trolling and are too slow for 

 fishing from a boat for sport. By the use of a smaller hook 

 and a little hammering they can soon be put right. 



As a general thing there is nothing to beat a six-inch brass, 

 though sometimes the brass and silver, or all copper, and occa- 

 sionally a white metal will do good work, but personally I sel- 

 dom use anything but plain brass, and I care little what shape 

 it is as long as it will work well when I am rowing very slowly. 



Split Rings. The ordinary split ring is nothing but a 

 trap. Never use them or you will be sorry for it ! Take them 

 off and use the ring you solder on yourself, or bind both hook 

 and swivel on with piano wire of extra strong size. 



Leads. Though it is absolutely necessary to success to have 

 a perfect working bait, it is almost as necessary to use the right 

 amount of lead, but unfortunately on this point no hard and 

 fast rule can be laid down, except to fish deep. The amount of 

 lead will have to depend on the depth of water and the strength 

 of the current near the bottom which often varies considerably 

 with that at the top, as sometimes there is an "undertow'* 

 which is very annoying. You should always have a mark, by 

 binding the line with white cotton, at 30 yards and let this be 



