20 THE ART OF FISHING. 



able to cast your line long distances, especially in 

 the former plan, as the boat will frighten the fish 

 near it. 



Endeavour to let the bait fall on the water as 

 lightly as possible ; this may be accomplished by 

 checking the line with yourright hand just before 

 the bait touches the surface, a dodge acquired by 

 practice, but soon learnt. You should often ex- 

 amine your stiff rings, as they are apt to get 

 jagged from friction, especially from long throws. 

 In this case they will tear or chafe the line, the 

 varnish or composition will wear off, and your 

 line will be weakened, and soon give way. Many 

 persons gather the line in rings before they throw 

 it out ; this may answer very well in short casts, 

 but not when you are fishing from a boat, or on 

 the bank, and have to throw twenty or thirty 

 yards ; for then the line will not pass freely, but 

 will catch at the rings nine times out of ten. So 

 let the line lie at the bottom of the boat, or on 

 the ground if you are on shore, as you gather it, 

 and be careful that you do not set your foot upon 

 it, as you will be very apt to do in stepping 

 forward to cast ; this will spoil your throw, and 

 hamper you exceedingly, especially if you are 

 fishing from a boat. I mention this because I 

 know from experience that unless you are on 



