106 AN ANGLER'S YEAR 



or two of water over the weeds, right in the middle of the 

 river, a fin and back will show, turning over like a 

 porpoise. Drop down steadily towards the spot. When 

 the boat gets within fifteen yards, all is still and 

 undisturbed ; but further down one sees another move- 

 ment. These are rudd sporting, and not only so, but 

 rudd worth catching, running up to two and a half pounds 

 apiece. How is one to capture them ? Some anglers 

 try with the double-handed fly rod and a Zulu, with a 

 piece of white kid on the hook. But the best fish are 

 not to be taken in this way ; the flash of the rod and the 

 frequency of the cast apparently frighten them. The 

 best tackle is undoubtedly that used by the experienced 

 angler accustomed to the water. My own outfit is as 

 follows : A 12ft. springy greenheart trout spinning rod, a 

 movable check Nottingham Coxon Aerial reel and guard, 

 forty yards of dressed Olinea line, special H size ; a self- 

 cocking float with the tip bright red (manufactured by 

 wrapping lead wire round the foot of an ordinary 

 Nottingham float, and painting the top with Aspinall's 

 enamel) ; next add a foot of strong trout gut, with a 

 single tiny shot 3m. from the float ; and then a No. 6 

 Limerick hook on Sin. of drawn hook-link. The float 

 should be buoyant enough to carry half an ounce of lead, 

 and still project well out of the water. 



The special reason for this type of tackle will be seen ; 

 to take full advantage of it the following directions for 

 use must be observed: Soak the gut well for some hours 

 before it is intended to be used. Before embarking (for 

 this fishing must be done in a boat), set up the rod and 

 fit the reel line, float, and bottom, having about one and 

 a half feet in distance between the float and the hook. 

 Slip the hook under the top winch-fittings and stow 

 away the rod in the boat on the right, and the landing- 

 net fixed and ready on the left-hand side. Just ahead 

 of the thwart, place a 561b. weight attached to a rope 

 twelve feet to fourteen feet long, made fast at the other 

 end to the ring in the bow. Have a tin containing 

 brandlings as fresh as possible under the thwart. Take 

 your seat and row where the fish are ; when approaching 



