194 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



easy action, with which light tackle can be used, 

 but is quite powerful enough for any trout I am. 

 likely to catch ; the other is stiffer and stronger, 

 and, with a somewhat shorter top, would do for 

 grilse or light pike work. On the whole, I think 

 the second type of rod would be of more general 

 use to a novice. Made in greenheart, it would be 

 a little heavier, and in whole cane with a greenheart 

 top probably a fraction lighter. Either material 

 will serve, but split cane is the best of the three. 

 The reel and line which the novice bought for his 

 first venture will do quite well for spinning, but it 

 would be wise to have some backing added to the 

 line, as much as the reel will hold. 



Gut " traces," as they are called, leads, flights 

 of hooks, and artificial baits are the next require- 

 ments. A spinning trace is generally tied with 

 three swivels in it. and is about i^ yards in length 

 with a big loop at the end. My outfit generally 

 contains three or four of these, varying in strength 

 from " refina " to u first Padron." I also have a few 

 with only one swivel at the end, a kind known as 

 a " spring " swivel, to one end of which a gut 

 loop or the metal eye of an artificial bait can be 

 easily attached. About i8in. above this the trace is 

 joined, not by a knot, but by two loops ; this enables 

 me to put a swivel lead on when it is required. One 



