TRENT FISHING. 27 



always among the stuff, so as to be pliable and always ready 

 for use. 



Ever since the days of good Dame Juliana Berners, 

 angling writers have more or less recommended amateurs to 

 make their own rods, but nowadays rods can be bought much 

 better and considerably cheaper than the amateur can make 

 them. 



In bringing these few remarks about Nottingham rods to 

 a close, I must thank all those anglers who have written to 

 me on the subject, suggesting that I should explain them 

 more fully than I did in the first edition. 



Nottingham reels are usually made of wood, and are in 

 two pieces ; the barrel of the reel, upon which the line is 

 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 pur- 

 pose 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. 



In chub fishing down a stream with wasp grubs or pith 

 for bait, it is necessary to have a reel that will run by itself, 

 so that the stream will carry the float and bait onwards, and 

 the line uncoil off the reel without having to help it at all. 

 These baits should travel down the stream without any hin- 

 drance or jerking whatever, and, in order to accomplish this, 

 the angler should see that the spindle of his reel is always 

 well oiled, so as to keep it in perfect running order. The 



