THE PIKE. 69 



dressing have their lines re-dressed, but they are very 

 seldom worth it. Choose a line about 50yds. or 60yds. 

 long, so that when one end begins to wear you can turn 

 it end for end and use the other. When both are worn, 

 if the line has been a good one and has been fairly treated, 

 it does not owe you much, and you had better, for your 

 own comfort and satisfaction, buy another ; a winch with 

 a light check action is the best. Many people nowadays 

 prefer to cast from the reel in the Nottingham style. To 

 those who do I have nothing to say. It has some 

 advantages, but I do not think you can cast as long a line 

 with it, as of course there must be more friction. 



We now come to the modus operandi. Having run your 

 line through the rings, fastened on the trace and hooks 

 and baited the latter, raise the rod with the butt resting 

 against your thigh or hip, the bait hanging down to about 

 half the length of the rod. Draw off the reel as much 

 line as you think you can cast, and let it lie at your feet 

 (usually on the left side) in loose coils, but so that there 

 may be no catch or tangle. Then holding the line to the 

 rod, with the right hand above the reel and grasping the 

 rod with the left below the reel, wave the rod backwards 

 to give the bait a swing, and having done so reverse the 

 motion and wave it forwards more smartly, giving it a 

 heave at the same time towards the point you want your 

 bait to reach, and release the line held tight to the rod by 

 the right hand at the same moment. The bait will fly 

 towards the spot you aim at, carrying the line which was 

 on the ground beside you out through the rings to its 

 fullest extent, and, if you have managed it properly, will 

 fall into the water with a slight splash twenty, thirty, or 

 forty yards away ; then giving the bait a moment or two 

 to sink, according to the depth of the water you are fishing, 



