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muscular troller a 12, or even a 10 or n foot rod, would be 

 preferable. My own ' pet rod ' is 12 feet long. The two middle 

 joints are of bamboo, the butt ash, and the tops of which I have 

 half a dozen of greenheart. By having a number of tops the 

 rod can be made to do extra duty when required. For instance, 

 with a fineish top it makes a capital rod for paternostering, 

 Thames-trout spinning, legering for barbel, or for worm-fishing, 

 prawn-fishing, and minnow-spinning for salmon. With a somewhat 

 heavier top, it is perfect for light Pike-spinning ; and with the 

 shortest and heaviest top is in its element where heavier spinning 

 baits are employed, as well as for gorge-bait fishing and live- 

 baiting. 



The heavier the bait and the larger the hooks the stouter 

 should be the top used. This, as before pointed out a propos 

 of fly-rods, is a general rule to which I know of no exception. 



For observations on the best form of Reel I refer the reader to 

 the same chapter, p. 86, and as regards Reel-lines, I should 

 Nottingham fishing apart unhesitatingly recommend an un- 

 tapered dressed-silk line (and that not too stout) for all the 

 objects enumerated in the preceding paragraph. 



Next to great strength which should be tested practically by 

 the hand when purchasing the line the all-important point is 

 that it should be perfectly smooth. A rough line, whether owing 

 its roughness to bad dressing or bad plaiting, is a constant 

 source of annoyance, wherever, as in the cases alluded to, a free 

 and easy " running " is of the utmost moment. No matter what 

 may be its other qualifications, unhesitatingly reject any line that 

 is not perfectly smooth. 



For casting from the reel, Nottingham fishers commonly use 

 a line of the finest white undressed silk, the strength of which, 

 having regard to its bulk and weight, is something extraordinary. 

 Mr. Slater makes these lines double, by some new process of 

 manufacture, thus still further adding to their strength whilst 



