THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 43 



there is every chance of a clean smash. It is apt to 

 try and throw itself over the line, and if the latter comes 

 in contact with the sharp fin, the partnership is dissolved. 

 When fishing from the bank with a leaded line let it drop 

 in very quietly ; there is no necessity for throwing it far 

 into the stream, as the fish usually feed close to the bank. 

 For an elaborate account of barbel fishing, the angler 

 cannot do better than consult " Francis Francis," who was 

 a very successful angler for this fish, and understood all the 

 methods practised by the Thames fishermen, who no doubt 

 are the most proficient barbel fishers in the kingdom. 



Baskets, called by some. (l creels" and others " pan- 

 niers," are the usual receptacles carried by the angler to 

 contain what fish he may catch during his excursions. These 

 are mostly made from French willows or split cane, and are 

 shaped so that they may fit nicely against the side of the 



FRENCH SPLIT WILLOW BASKET. 



body, as they are slung from the shoulder by a broad girth 

 web strap furnished with buckle and tongue. Some have 

 false bottoms of zinc, or false interiors, which can be 

 removed for cleaning ; others have receptacles for holding 



