5io PRACTICAL LESSONS IN THE GENTLE CRAFT. 



very weedy and the clear places small and confined, then 

 perhaps a long rod would be serviceable, dispensing with 

 the running line altogether, but taking care that the gut 

 bottom and line at the top-joint be additionally strong. In 

 such a cramped position, should the fish feed and a big one 

 be struck, it will be simply a case of testing the fish and 

 his strength against the tackle ; all I can say is, keep him 

 away from the weed-beds, he'll bolt for them like a ferret 

 after a bunny, and if he gets among them good-bye. The 

 bait should, if possible, touch the bottom, but inasmuch as 

 tench retreats are usually muddy in the extreme which 

 fact is easily ascertainable by the plummet it would be 

 useless to put a lively lob well on the bottom, because he 

 would very soon become part and parcel of the mud itself. 

 I have found it a good plan when, as I have said, there are 

 plenty of clear open spaces, and the bottom is sound and 

 hard, to dispense with float, etc., altogether, and first 

 baiting the hook with a picked lob, draw from the reel a 

 sufficient quantity of line to reach the desired spot, and 

 then, coiling this line, let it lie on the bank free and clear 

 of all obstructions. Lay the rod as well on the bank, and 

 take the baited hook in the thumb and fingers of the right 

 hand, cast it out from the hand with a gentle swing, and 

 the line, if sufficiently light and fine (and what big fish can 

 be killed on a fine line if one only knows how to use it), will 

 fly out after the baited hook, which sinks from its own 

 specific weight and that of the worm combined ; give it time 

 to find the bottom and then reel up any slack line there may 

 be. Keep the rod down upon the bank, with the winch 

 handles (and the winch for this work must be a Nottingham 

 with perfectly free action) uppermost, and clear of any twigs 

 or other things likely to impede it, and then take a seat 

 well away from the water, keep perfectly still and motion- 



