'-L> THE NOTTINGHAM ROD. 



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lightest silk running-line made, and the line used for float- 

 fishing is of Derby twist, scarcely coarser than common 

 netting-silk. This would, if laid in coils, or gathered in 

 the hand, tangle up into inextricable knots ; consequently 

 it is required to run off the reel and with the utmost ex- 

 emption from friction for if there were much friction it 

 would not run at all. Indeed, such is the freedom of these 

 neb, that more often than not, in throwing a heavy tackle 

 or letting out a long line, it is requisite to moderate their 

 pace. As the right hand is engaged in holding the rod, 

 this is effected by the pressure of the fore-finger of the 

 left hand on the edge or circumference of the revolving 

 reel, according as the pace is required to be regulated, 

 while by increasing the pressure the run of the line may 

 be stopped altogether. If this precaution be not taken 

 the reel, when in full impetus, turns round so much faster 

 than the line runs out through the rings, that it is apt to 

 overrun the line, and a sad tangle is the result. This 

 part of the operation requires practice and a good deal 

 of practice. Indeed, the whole system is much more 

 difficult than the one in ordinary use on the Thames ; but 

 to compensate for this it is much neater, and more deadly 

 when once acquired. 



The equipment of the Nottingham roach and dace- 

 fisher will be as follows : Rod, light and springy, more 

 flexible than a Thames punt-rod, but not so flexible as a 

 fly-rod almost midway between the two about twelve or 

 thirteen feet long, and not too heavy for one hand, and 

 with small upright rings ; a wooden reel with seventy or 

 eighty yards of the finest Derby twist on it ; a tackle of 

 very fine gut of about four or five feet in length. The 

 hook used is usually of the straight round-bend pattern, 

 as the worm is more often used than any other bait ; the 

 size of course will be proportioned to the fish that for 

 dace, roach, &c., being of the round-bend pattern shown in 





