SPINNING. 71 



jut out every here and there ; for if the flight gets 

 firmly stuck in a tree, or embedded in a growth of 

 reeds, when a strain is put on, something must go, 

 possibly the trace, whether it is of gut or gimp; 

 the released line flies back, for on the opposite side 

 of the stream, swaying backwards and forwards on 

 a branch, maybe, remain his flight and trace, with 

 perhaps two or three yards of line. How does the 

 practical spinner go to work ? To borrow a capital 

 angler's (Mr. H. B. Bromhead's) description : " He 

 makes no erratic throws, hooking into reeds or 

 floating debris ; his bait, properly leaded, shoots 

 evenly and swiftly to the desired haven, like an 

 arrow from the bow. Right across the river, 

 25 yards if an inch, it falls right under the drooping 

 boughs of an old willow, in a quiet eddy caused by 

 a small bay in the bank line. 



"With but little splash the bait drops into the 

 water, and after sinking a foot or two is drawn 

 evenly across the river. It is a pikey bit of water, 

 a fringe of waving, rotting, sepia-tinted reeds 

 bordering the bay. If any kind of the species 

 Esox Indus possessed an especial retreat, this is the 

 one. Is master pike at home to-day ? I think he 

 is. A swirl in the water, a sudden resistance on 

 the line, a gleam of light colour in the dark green 

 depths of the river flowing smoothly along, as a 

 mighty fish seizes the bait and endeavours to re- 

 turn to his lair to munch his captive at his leisure. 



" Not so fast, my friend. That 10 foot of green- 

 heart and lancewood is struck upwards smartly, 

 the line quivers like an arrow embedded in the 

 target, and a right royal battle has commenced. 

 Gamely the fish struggles, vainly endeavouring to 

 once more take up his quarters in those willow 



