HOW TO FISH A DACE-SWIM. 67 



the first, or even if need be the third or fourth, and so on, 

 and thus he will be able to get out sufficient line safely to 

 enable him to cast his tackle without catch or tangle to 

 almost any reasonable distance he may require for roach 

 and dace-fishing. 1 



We will suppose that the float is cast to its destination, 

 which should be a little up-stream from where the angler 

 is standing, with the point of the rod raised always if 

 possible above or up-stream of the float, and just so much 

 as to keep a moderately tight line, not sufficient to lift or 

 check the float (for if this happens the float is drawn 

 inwards towards the bank, and probably out of the swim), 

 but sufficiently to enable the angler to strike the instant 

 he perceives a bite, and without having any bagged or 

 slack line. Following the float with the point of the rod, 

 and lowering the point until all the line he can give is 

 out, 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 

 i 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 

 ravel down-stream fifteen, twenty, or even more, yards 

 intil 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 com- 



1 This style of casting the bait will be found most useful to the trout- 

 fisher when wading and spinning a minnow or casting a worm. 



F 2 



