APPENDIX 259 



Before starting, carefully examine how the butts of the 

 rods are fastened to the boat, and make sure that by no 

 chance can one rod work loose ; neglect of this precau- 

 tion generally means a lost line. A stout strip of wood 

 should be screwed to the top inside plank of the boat on 

 either side, projecting three or four inches above the 

 gunwale, to serve as a stay for the rod. Also a large 

 copper nail should be knocked into the gunwale (just in 

 front of the offset) for about an inch, and the remainder 

 of the nail allowed to project upwards. 



It is well, for the first few times at any rate, to have 

 some one to row the boat, if an old char fisher, so much 

 the better ; but if alone, the angler must remember that 

 his boat must never be allowed to stop while he has a 

 line in the water. Therefore he must give a couple of 

 strokes with his oars between each operation. 



First see that the plumb is securely fixed to the main 

 line. Let the plumb sink until you come to the shackle. 

 Place the larger end of the shackle upon the 

 nail. Give two strokes with oars. Take hold ^"^f 

 of bottom bait. Throw it into the water, Lines 

 and see that it spins. Let out tail line until 

 you come to the shackle. Give two strokes. Lift 

 shackle off and let out main line until next shackle is 

 reached. Place shackle on nail. Give two strokes. Let 

 out next bait and dropper, and so proceed until the top 

 shackle is reached. Before lifting off this shackle, 

 securely fasten the line to the rod, and make perfectly 

 sure that no jerk or strain will cause it to come loose. 

 Give two or three good strokes. Lift off the shackle, 

 let the line pass through the fingers till no more is left. 

 Place the butt of the rod in the slot made to receive it, 

 and allow the rod to rest against the wooden upright. 

 A few steady strokes with the oar next to the rod, and 

 one side is complete. The same operations must be 

 gone through with the other side, bearing in mind to 

 pull harder with the oar next the rod that is fishing, in 

 order to prevent the boat turning round. 



You now row steadily forward until your bell tells you 

 there is a run. Wait a short time to see if the When a 

 fish is hooked, for it is no joke taking in a whole fish 

 side and then letting it out for a fish that has strikes 

 never been hooked. If the fish is hooked it will soon 



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