24 BOTTOM FISHING IN THE NOTTINGHAM STILE. 



wound turning on a spindle, fixed in the centre of the por- 

 tion which forms the immovable part of the reel ; and this 

 is contrived so that the barrel shall spin round with the 

 utmost freedom at the slightest touch. These reels are made 

 in all sizes, and nearly at all prices. I should prefer a good 

 stout reel made of hard wood, with what is called a solid 

 cross-back to it. One that is about four inches in diameter 

 will be found the very best for general work, as you can pay 

 out line with it more rapidly when fishing a swift stream, 

 where a small one would be apt to check the float and bait. 

 The two parts of the reel are joined together by a small 

 brass nut on the front, which can be easily unscrewed for 

 the purpose of oiling the spindle. The nut and screw have 

 been improved by the introduction of what is called the 

 " centre pin " reel, which merely requires the touching of a 

 spring to part the two pieces of the reel. These centre pin 

 reels are as true as a hair, and run very smoothly and quickly 

 at the lightest touch ; they are dearer than the ordinary reel. 

 The Nottingham reels I have described are admirably adapted 

 for throwing out a long line with only a very light float and 

 tackle. 



In the fashion pursued by the Thames fishermen, the line 

 is dra^vn off the reel, and laid loosely in coils at his feet, 

 unless he happens to be skilful enough to gather it up in the 

 palm of the left hand as some do. Suppose the angler to be 

 fishing from a reed bed, or an osier holt, and his line to be 

 coiled at his feet, it would be constantly catching in twigs, 

 or pieces of rubbish, and a tangle at the rings of the rod 

 would be inevitable at every cast. If we add to this the 

 fact that the I^ottingham style requires the very finest and 

 lightest of silk running lines, made of what is called Derby 

 twist, and scarcely thicker than cotton, it is manifest that if 

 it were laid in coils or gathered in the palm of the hand, it 

 would tangle up into inextricable knots. Hence my reader 



