TROUT. 



15 



easy, they require considerable care in use ; for if the line is 

 thrown from them with the least jerk, the bait will go in any 

 direction but the right one, and when it has dropped in the 

 water and the line ceased running-out, the winch, from the 

 impetus it has received, will run on and wind the line the 

 reverse way, often entangling it and getting it into knots. 



We next come to the Line ; this should be of the best 

 plaited silk, from sixty to a hundred yards in length, and 

 fine ; properly prepared with waterproof dressing, which pre- 

 vents it kinking, as it is impossible to throw a bait properly 

 with a line that kinks or curls up in knots as the undressed 

 lines invariably do when they are soaked with water ; be 

 particular to dry the line well after use, before putting it 

 away, in order to keep it from rotting. 



The next thing required is the Trace. The one I use in 

 the Thames is about two yards in length, of gut, slightly 

 coloured ; with four swivels, and from eight to sixteen shots 

 in the middle of the trace, as in the sketch ; the same style 

 of trace may be used in any river, varying of course, the 

 strength and the weight according to the size of the fish and 

 the rapidity of the current. In the Colne, and similar small 

 rivers, I should use the finest gut for the traces and flights 

 of hooks, weighting them in proportion. 



An extremely useful weight for the trace is that known as 

 the " Field " lead ; so called, through being originated by one 

 of the editors of that celebrated Sporting Newspaper. The 



