HOW AND WHERE TO SPIN. 97 



avoided by every well-educated roach and dace in the water. It is 

 not to be, though ; two or three frantic rushes on the part of the 

 fish, as many steady pulls by piscator, and master pike is brought 

 within reach of the gaff or landing net. 



The proper play of the rod, which is one of the most certain 

 tests of a good spinner, is highly important, not only to prevent 

 the stopping of the bait between the ' draws,' but in order to give 

 it its full glitter and piquancy. It produces a more life-like 

 motion, as it were, than that imparted by the mere pulling in of 

 the line by hand or reel, whilst for some reason or other, pro- 

 bably the greater elasticity of the lever used, the spin of the 

 bait is also far more rapid and brilliant. 



The substitution of a mere mechanical motion for this com- 

 bined movement of the hand and rod is, in my opinion, one 

 fatal objection to what is termed the 'Nottingham style' of 

 spinning, already adverted to, and thus described by Mr. Baily, 

 the chief priest of the system, in his 'Angler's Instructor,' 

 pp. 5, 6, 9, and 10 



You cannot have a reel too light or that runs too free. The 

 best is a four-inch common wood reel, varnished to keep the rain 

 from swelling the wood, the only brass about it being the hoop for 

 fastening it to the rod. Brass inside and out adds to its weight 

 and lessens its utility. To cast a long line you must have a free 

 and easy running reel. ... A line made wholly of good silk well 

 plaited is the best for pike-fishing. Fifty yards of such a line 

 ought to weigh no more than three-quarters of an ounce. . . . Well, 

 having cast your bait as far as possible, allow it, if you are fishing 

 in a pond, or lake, or deep water, to sink a little, say two feet ; 

 then wind away at a brisk rate, holding your rod on one side rather 

 low if no run wind out and throw again, but this time wind briskly 

 four or five yards, then all of a sudden stop a moment, then off 

 again, doing so three or four times in one cast. I have often found 

 this a good plan. 



If you still have no run, try another throw and wind briskly as 

 before, but occasionally giving your rod a sharp and short twitch. 



I have also found this an excellent method of using the spinner, 

 but should it prove unsuccessful, here is another style : Throw as 

 before, but on this occasion wind slow four or five yards, then with 



II. H 



