62 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



The main precautions necessary are to see that 

 the coils of line do not catch in obstructions on 

 the ground, and to avoid anything like a jerk in 

 casting ; a steady swing, with the line released at 

 the proper moment, will carry the float a long way, 

 but too much force or a jerk will probably only 

 result in a bad tangle. After practice the novice 

 will find himself getting his line out satisfactorily, 

 and when it has got far enough he can let the float 

 stay. After a longer or a shorter time it will dis- 

 appear if the chub are in the humour, and then 

 the angler will pull in his slack line until he 

 can just feel the strain, when he tightens and 

 hooks his fish. Some bites he is sure to miss, 

 because the line sinks in the water after the 

 float has settled, and it will not always be 

 possible for him to gather in the slack quickly 

 enough before the fish has let the bait go. 

 An experience or two of this kind will probably 

 make him reflect that it would be a good thing if 

 the line did not sink. 



There is a method of making it float which is 

 useful, and that is to anoint it with vaseline or some 

 kindred preparation I generally use a material 

 called Gishurstine, which can be procured through 

 most of the tackle-makers. A rag smeared with 

 the ointment can be run up and down so much of 



