LANDING-NETS 77 



them one which consists of two thin pieces of 

 very strong iron spring which, when not in use, 

 are straight. When it is required to put the 

 net together, the two upper ends, which are 

 furnished the one with a socket, the other with 

 a tongue, are fitted to each other. The springs 

 are bent, and the other ends are fastened by 

 slipping the eye at the end of the spring on the 

 side over the screw at the end of the other ; the 

 latter being fixed into the handle secures the 

 whole, and a very nice portable net is produced. 

 For real hard wear and tear, however, there is 

 nothing better than, or as good as, the wooden 

 bow made of ash. 



In rivers where wading is necessary, whose beds 

 are rocky, or in which loose stones abound, it is 

 well, and indeed necessary, to use a good stout 

 landing-handle, unjointed, and at least five feet 

 long, the end of it shod with iron, and fitted with 

 a strong spike in order to enable the fisherman to 

 feel his way amongst the rocks under water, and 

 to act as a stay against the force of the stream. 

 Without some such assistance wading is frequently 

 dangerous work. In rivers which do not necessi- 

 tate wading, the net can be carried on the strap 

 of the fishing bag or basket, the handle being 

 furnished with a joint and spring catch, the latter 

 to hold the net in place when the joint is opened. 

 There are many joints which have been designed 



