45 



where I could improve it, or make one to answer the purpose 

 better. I have made a great many rods of this description for 

 those who approve of my style of angling, and they form, I am 

 proud to say, a very numerous body. 



THE KOD FOE PLUMBING must be thirteen feet long, and 

 much stiffer than the one for float fishing. 



THE REEL for Barbel fishing should be a three and a half 

 inch common wood one, varnished, to keep the rain from swel- 

 ling the wood, without any brass about it, except the slide or 

 hoop for fastening to the rod. The freer it runs the better. 

 You should carry a small bottle of oil with you, and oil it two 

 or three times when fishing. 



THE LINE FOR FLOAT FISHING should be made entirely of 

 silk, twisted, one hundred yards to weigh about six drams; 

 half an ounce line this length would be too thick. 



THE LINE FOE PLUMBING should also be made of silk, 

 twisted, and weigh about ten drams per one hundred yards. 

 These lines are excellent for Barbel fishing, and when in skilful 

 hands are strong enough to land the largest Barbel that ever 

 swam. The following anecdote will show how some people con- 

 demn the lines and tackle as being bad when they break, instead 

 of ascribing the breaking to their own carelessness and 

 inexperience. What I shall relate occurred between a 

 gentleman and myself. One day, when Barbel fishing in the 

 Trent, and having very good sport with a five dram line (a 

 shade finer than the one recommended above for float fishing), 

 a gentleman came up to me and made the following remarks : 

 " Upon my word, fisherman, you have had first-rate sport ; well, 

 I never saw the like, why there you have got another : they 

 are biting every swim; that fish must be four pounds; well 

 done ! I never saw Barbel bite better ; and what beautiful 

 tackle you are fishing with ; it appears to me you understand 

 how to use it too. Your line is really very fine, but I suppose 

 you think it none too fine. I should like to buy a line like 

 this." " Well, Sir," I said, " I have got one in my pocket-book 

 made from the same silk, and the same size as the one I am 



