34 AN ANGLER'S YEAR 



again referred to in this book, I must here mention one 

 or two things which I have found of practical value 

 when live-baiting. 



In very weedy water, especially that containing water 

 ranunculus, I have been greatly annoyed when playing 

 fish by the float catching in the weed by the stump of 

 the peg, and would therefore draw attention to a form of 

 float obviating this. If an ordinary pike float be taken 

 and a swivel pegged firmly into the lower or small end, 



Fig. 25. Author's live-bait for weedy water. 



and a bight of the mainline be put through the lower ring 

 of this and slipped over the pear-shaped float, the depth 

 can be easily altered or the size of the individual float 

 changed; when a fish is hooked this float is pulled 

 through the water, small end first, and does not hitch. 

 A traveller float fixed about a foot above should be 

 used and the running line greased, as the line, being 

 submerged near the float, otherwise quickly sinks and 

 becomes entangled. With the single triangles recom- 

 mended, a landing-net may be used rather than a gaff; 

 and if slaughter is not intended, the fish not wanted 

 may^be returned, to grow bigger and fight again. 



