1 88 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



standing out at right angles. The hook link 

 should not be more than 6in. long ; I prefer it to 

 te only about 4m., and if it is composed of gut 

 rather stouter than the cast it stands out better. 

 Some anglers have two and even three hooks on 

 their paternoster cast, but I prefer one, as there is 

 less risk of tangles, and one is not so prodigal of 

 baits. For trout fishing under a weir with live-bait 

 the paternoster is the best arrangement. One can 

 drop it in quite close to the sill, and the lead on the 

 bottom will hold it steady, despite the superficial 

 rush of water, under which the best fish often lie. 

 Keeping the line fairly taut between lead and rod- 

 top, one can feel a bite in a moment. Then the 

 line should be slackened while one counts five 

 slowly, so that the fish may not feel any resistance, 

 -and afterwards the raising of the rod firmly but 

 gently should send the hook home. If the bait is 

 a big one perch in particular often prefer a 4in. 

 dace or gudgeon to a minnow one should count 

 ten before striking. The paternoster is a useful 

 tackle for searching odd corners among weeds, 

 round old piles, under walls and banks, and other 

 places where perch congregate, and many anglers 

 rank it above any other. 



The method, however, which I prefer to all the 

 rest w r hen it is possible to employ it is what is 



