" LIGHT CORKING " 47 



all the line he can give is given, the angler then applies his 

 left hand to the reel and turns it gently as before described, 

 giving off line as it is required, but not faster, nor yet so 

 slowly as to check the float. The instant he sees a bite he 

 strikes sharply, but not too heavily, up-stream, and, having 

 hooked his fish, winds on him with the reel until he gets him 

 well under the rod-point. Failing in getting a bite, he allows 

 the float to travel down-stream fifteen, twenty, or even more, 

 yards until he is sure that he has completely covered the 

 space where the ground-bait is likely to be when he strikes, 

 winds up the spare line, poises the rod, draws off the requisite 

 quantity, and repeats his cast. If he has half a dozen full 

 swims without a bite he usually considers there are no fish 

 there, and goes on to another spot. But if the place looks 

 so favourable as to tempt him further he may perhaps try 

 the experiment of two or three more worms broken up. Usually, 

 however, he is not induced to commit such extravagance. 

 If he gets a fish or two, or a bite or two, he then breaks up a 

 few more worms at the first pause in the biting and keeps to 

 his swim, only repeating the dose when the fish begin to 

 slacken in their biting. A dozen worms will often be all the 

 ground-bait he will use in a pitch which may give him as 

 many, or even double as many, fish. 



The hook-bait in this kind of fishing is usually a small 

 red worm, though scratching (as they term greaves on the 

 Trent) is used when worms are not to be had. One great 

 point the Nottingham angler pays the utmost attention to 

 is, that all his worms shall be thoroughly sweet and scoured, 

 and as lively as possible. 



Having now described this method of fishing, it will be 

 seen that a fine line is of the first necessity to it. It does not 

 sink in the water, but lies lightly on the surface, so that the 

 strike is not impeded in any way. It sucks up very little water, 

 too, and soon dries ; and beyond this it runs off the reel 

 much more freely than a thicker line would. So far there is 

 every advantage in favour of it ; but if it rains, and the line, 

 rod, and rings get wet, it becomes very difficult to get the 

 light line to run, even by the most assiduous wiping ; and 

 if there be a strong contrary wind, it is difficult to fish satis- 

 factorily. 



If he goes for barbel-fishing the angler generally uses a 

 rod and tackle a trifle heavier and larger. This is called 

 " light corking," because the float used is a light cork one. 



