

PRACTICAL LESSONS IN THE GENTLE CRAFT. 493 



indeed, the rod previously described for legering will do 

 admirably. Use a Nottingham winch, with fine running 

 tackle, and first try the paternoster ; this should be a gut 

 length of a yard, round, and good in quality, and mounted 

 with two hooks, the bottom one not more than five or six 

 inches from the lead, the top a foot and a half above it. 

 The lead itself need not be any heavier than is absolutely 

 necessary to find the bottom, and withstand the current ; if 

 there is little or none of the latter, use as small a one as 

 possible. I have seen advocated the desirability of using 

 three or four hooks to the paternoster, but I am inclined to 

 think that all practical men will agree with me in saying 

 that two are ample ; indeed with more, when one is using 

 minnows, it would be found that a large supply of bait 

 would be necessary, from the frequency with which they 

 are- jerked off the hook at the moment of striking. Don't 

 use too large a hook " No. 7's " are large enough and 

 hook the minnows through the side of the lip, it is easier 

 than through the extremity of the nose, and it should be 

 remembered that they are a delicate little fish, and won't 

 bear much pulling about. At a likely-looking place, par- 

 ticularly at a spot where one may see the aforesaid small 

 fry, drop the paternoster quietly in, and keep the line taut 

 from the winch the moment the bottom is felt ; then move it 

 gently along the bottom, lifting it now and again from the 

 point of the rod, until the spot chosen has been thoroughly 

 searched. If they are there, and in a feeding humour, the 

 angler will not be long before he knows it, and at the sharp 

 " tug-tug," indicating the attack, one should strike without 

 loss of time instantaneously, in fact and if the fish be 

 hooked, as he will be nine times out of ten, and proves a big 

 one, keep the line taut ; be in no hurry with him ; and after 

 the first few desperate plunges are over, he is, with ordinary 



