8 TOOLS USED IN FISHING. 



with hooks fastened to them, and with loops ready 

 to attach to your line. The best gut leaders are of 

 Spanish manufacture. Leaders -of twisted horse-hair, 

 or of grass, are used when gut 'cannot be obtained, 

 but they should be made as light as possible. 



Floats. 



A very light float should be used for trout if you 

 use any at all. It is made from quills or cork. For 

 pickerel, salmon, bass, &c., you should get floats 

 made from hollow red cedar, which are very light 

 and appropriate. Cork will answer if you cannot 

 procure the cedar. 



Other Tools. 



Nets for landing your fish, nets for carrying bait, 

 gaff-hooks, and clearing rings are among the "tools" 

 of the angler, and can be procured at the tackle 

 stores. They are sometimes very useful. The gaff- 

 hook is used to land your fish in cases where the 

 landing net is impracticable. It is a large hook 

 fastened to a hickory handle. The clearing ring is 

 a stout ring to encircle your line, and send down and 

 clear it. It opens with a hinge, and weighs five to 

 eight ounces. 



Baits. 



The common angle-worm is a universal bait for 

 fresh water angling. They grow almost everywhere 

 except in sandy soils. The common white grub is 



