BOTTOM FISHING. 65 



There is, of course, a stiff place where the parts meet in 

 a non-spliced rod, and when an unusual strain is applied 

 to it, the wood immediately, above or below, snaps off 

 short. The nuisance of this may be effectually avoided 

 by inserting a small wooden plug, of some four or five 

 inches in length, in the hollow of the cane, which equal- 

 izes the strength of the rod when correctly proportioned 

 throughout. Solid upright rings are preferable to the 

 ordinary loose ones; the most expensive rods are some- 

 times fitted up with agate mounted rings and tips when 

 intended for trolling purposes. These prevent the rings 

 from being worn by the constant friction. Instead of the 

 ordinary circular-shaped rings, we advise the use of dome 

 or conical ones. These are not liable to entangle one's 

 line, no convenient foothold being presented by their 

 sloping sides. The limp loose line entwines around any 

 projecting substance presented, and any removal of a ha- 

 bitual fouling place must of necessity be a step in the right 

 direction. In boat or punt fishing, the method of pro- 

 cedure varies somewhat upon different waters, the custom 

 in certain districts being to moor across stream, in others 

 in a slanting direction. All we have to say upon this 

 point is, that the great consideration at all times should 

 be how to disturb the water as little as possible. A con- 

 stant surging against the stationary boat cannot fail to 

 act detrimentally as regards sport in most circumstances. 

 In fishing from the bank, a tolerably stiff and strong 

 rod should be employed, so as to have power over the 

 quarry when it exhibits a strong and determined desire 

 to retire into some thorny retreat in the bank beneath 

 your feet. The novice quickly advances, upon a few 

 experiences of this nature, in the piscatorial path of 

 knowledge. The first impulse of the inexperienced is to 

 extend the rod over the shoulder, and move backwards, 

 so as to end matters speedily by extracting the hooked 

 fish from his element. Matters take a sudden turn, how- 



