66 TROLLING IN STAFFORDSHIRE. 



advantage in trolling, and that is having arms and 

 legs of rather an unusual length, which enable me 

 to cast a line further than most people. 



As some novice in the art may read this work, 

 and as some of my brethren of the Walton and 

 Cotton Club have made enquiries respecting my 

 method of trolling, I will proceed to give them 

 such instructions, as will, if properly attended to, 

 speedily make them proficients in the art, and 

 enable them 



' to trowle for pike, dispeoples of the lake.' 



I must begin by recommending a light, but 

 strong cane rod, some ten or eleven feet in length, 

 rather stiff, but yet with some little pliability at the 

 upper end. The rings should be of twisted brass, 

 and each of them sufficiently large to allow at 

 least the little finger to pass through them with 

 ease. The use of these will be seen presently. 

 The line should be of about forty yards in length, 

 so that an expert troller, in a good situation, and with 

 the wind in his favour, should be able to cast 

 nearly that distance at every throw. The difficulty 

 is how to procure a good line. Those which are 

 generally sold in the fishing tackle shops in London 

 to novices, are not only apt to clink when they are 

 wet, but also to break if a heavy fish is at the 

 end of them. The best I have had, were pro* 



