36 BOTTOM OR FLOAT-FISHING. 



sharp-pointed pricker (a useful instrument for un- 

 picking knots, loosening drop-flies, separating 

 feathers, &c.) ; and last, not least, a strong 

 corkscrew. 



"NOTTINGHAM FlSHING AND TACKLE." 



One portion of what is known as Nottingham 

 fishing is the throwing from the reel trusting, that 

 is, to the weight of the bait and float, and the 

 impetus given by casting, to draw off from the reel, 

 as the line is thrown, as much of the latter as may 

 be required for each cast. For the reasons given 

 in the " Book of the Pike," I consider this method 

 of casting in every way a mistake in theory, and, 

 as applied to light float tackle, usually an impossi- 

 bility in practice. 



The other principle of Nottingham fishing is an 

 excellent one, and the practice of it is rapidly 

 spreading over all parts of the country, and for 

 every description of river and pond bottom-fishing. 

 Its result is to enable the angler to fish " swims" at 

 considerable distances sometimes as much as 

 twenty yards away from him, and at the same time 

 to add to the length of the swim itself, by allowing 



