28 FISHING GOSSIP. 



shore-fishing there was none in this case. A boat 

 alone could adequately command and reach the 

 favourite haunts of the fish sought for. Two rods 

 may be conveniently worked from the same craft : 

 but I will take it for granted that there is but one 

 to be used ; and that the angler, single-handed, is 

 launched into deep water, with the tackle described, to 

 row, fish, and land his trout. Giving a few smart strokes 

 with the oars in the direction to be taken, the boat 

 receives sufficient momentum to give time for letting 

 out the bait and a portion of the line. This operation is 

 repeated till about forty yards of line are drawn off 

 the reel This length of line will be generally found 

 sufficient ; but is of course subject to variations 

 according to the depth of the water and other cir- 

 cumstances. The rod is next carefully stretched in 

 the boat on the right-hand side of the angler, with 

 the point projecting some five or six feet, as the case 

 may be, beyond the stern of the boat. Care should 

 also be taken that nothing impedes the free revolu- 

 tion of the handle of the reel when called into action. 

 The loss of bait, hook, and a large fish, may be con- 

 sequences of the neglect of the precaution. Nay, 

 the rod itself, if carelessly placed, may in such case 

 be jeopardised. The strength of the tackle, it should 

 be recollected, is not greater than its weakest part, 

 which in this instance is a single strand of gut ; and 

 the shock of the first charge of a hooked ferox or 



