APPENDIX 261 



but in char-fishing this is especially so, for if one is in 

 too great a hurry one is almost sure to get the various 

 tail lines mixed together and a set of char tackle " weel 

 hankled " is something to remember. You will have to 

 go on shore or go home. 



Care should be taken that the landing net is 

 thoroughly well dressed to prevent the hooks getting fast 

 in it. The bowl or rim ought to be about fourteen 

 inches in diameter, and the shaft should not be less than 

 four or more than five feet in length, well balanced and 

 tapered. Many anglers prefer a sixteen-inch bowl, but 

 the above is amply large enough for char, and it is very 

 important that you should strike quickly, for a chai 

 comes off the hook very easily. 



Occasionally a big trout or a seafish will seize your 

 bait, or even a pike. Most trollers know what it is to be 

 broken by these gentry, but on the other hand they 

 sometimes pay for their temerity with their life. A 

 couple of years since Mr. J. Satterthwaite killed a 

 twelve-pound pike on an ordinary set of char tackle. A 

 four-pound trout is twice as difficult to kill on char 

 tackle as on an ordinary rod, and requires the most 

 skilful and careful handling. But big fish are very rare, 

 and one may troll for weeks without hooking anything 

 but char, especially during the summer months. If by 

 chance a big fish is hooked, turn your boat slowly so that 

 you may sail with the wind. (This is also necessary 

 when char fishing if the wind be strong.) Then take in 

 the opposite plumb line. This is a most excellent 

 wrinkle ; for, if you try to work the fish with the other 

 line out, the chances are that it will dash into the free 

 side and fasten itself. Once fast, he will soon tear out 

 the hook or smash the tackle. Having taken in the one 

 side commence upon the other. Be sure when you 

 come to the fish not to put the shackle on the nail until 

 you have got a couple of feet of line into your hand. 

 Experience alone will teach how much strain to put on 

 the line ; but fight your fish boldly, it is far more likely to 

 succeed than allowing it to rush about as it pleases. 



