THE JOLLY ANGLER. 63 



CHAP. V. 



Bottom Fishing 



I shall here treat of in its limited sense, that is, the portion 

 of it where a float is used (Live-bait fishing excepted, 

 which will form a portion of a chapter on Trolling). Now 

 having all things prepared, as before described in Chapter 

 III, first plumb your depth, throw in some ground bait, 

 and proceed by letting your bait and then your float fall 

 gently in the upper part of the swim, keeping the top of 

 your rod over it as it passes by you; when it gets as far as 

 you can conveniently reach, strike gently, and proceed as 

 before. When you get a bite, which you will see by the 

 float being shook or snatched under, immediately strike, 

 which is to be done by a smart stroke, raising the point of 

 your rod perpendicularly over the float; if you hook the 

 fish, and he offers little resistance, you may proceed to lift 

 him on shore, or into the boat, but if a large one, and he 

 rushes forward upon feeling the hook, you must let him 

 have more line, until he suffers himself to be turned by 

 less force; you must then keep him tight, pulling him 

 towards you when opportunity offers, and when he again 

 plunges, easing your hand towards him, that he may not 

 break the tackle ; by following this plan you may soon tire 

 him out; then do not attempt to lift him with your line, 

 but use your landing net. Occasionally a Barbel will lie 

 like a stone when hooked for some time, and then go direct 

 away, consequently you should always be prepared, having 

 the running line grasped in your hand with the rod, so 

 that you may regulate the strength of pull that will draw 

 it off your winch, by pressing it harder against the butt. 

 Having unhooked your fish, take off the old bait, and put 

 on a fresh one, (which you should always do if at any time 

 it is in the least disfigured,) then throw in at the top of the 

 swim another ball or two of ground-bait, and proceed as 

 before. I will here tell you of a ledger bait that I saw a 



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