CASTING AFTER DARK 211 



the place beyond all question for the self-thumbing 

 reel, for no matter how expert the rodster may be, 

 how sensitive his thumb, he is going to back-lash; 

 we all do, and that will be his consolation. The 

 spooling device is also a valuable auxiliary, for it is 

 exceedingly difficult to spool the line evenly after 

 dark. As between the level-winder and self- 

 thumber for night fishing I would find it hard to 

 choose, both in combination would approach the 

 ideal. I have already emphasized the importance 

 of skill, but allow me to say that only the past 

 master of thumbing should undertake night casting 

 with the regular winch, unless his boat be provided 

 with an electric dynamo and lights. Is that impres- 

 sive enough? The line should be the larger of the 

 two sizes recommended for casting, G and H, of as 

 conspicuous a color for the water fished as can be 

 procured, white ordinarily. This is more important 

 than it seems. Time and again the angler will 

 desire to know where his line lies, if it be of a color 

 that blends with the water so much the worse for 

 him. 



Floating lures and surface-underwaters only, 

 more of the first. It goes without saying that a 

 simon-pure underwater should never be used, and 

 multi-hooked lures avoided as one flees the small- 

 pox. The angler will remove all but the belly 

 treble, if so doing does not destroy the balance of 

 the lure and in weedy water or where snags are 



