THE BARBEL. 7 



main weir runs, however, you cannot do without 

 really heavy weight. As in chubbing, I use a 

 plaited line. In legering from the bank, or from a 

 weir head, the rod can be held very steadily ; the 

 sitting position is the best, the angler drawing a 

 little line off the reel and holding the line in the 

 fingers of the left hand, or holding the winch firmly 

 and striking from that. In the latter case, the line 

 is wound taut on the winch, and the left hand is 

 pressed on the revolving part of the winch (winding 

 with the left hand, the handles of the winch being 

 to the left), holding it tightly. (For directions as to 

 casting from the winch, see p. 230.) 



Floating for barbel is, in my opinion, far 

 better than legering, as there is so much 



u j , r j Floating 



more change and variety of scene and 

 movement. Greater care is compulsory in the 

 management of the tackle, the attention is kept up, 

 and altogether it is better sporting work. 



Of floats there is a great variety, both fixed and 

 sliding, or traveller. A float for weir fishing, 

 queer to look at, but excellent in use, may 

 be constructed as follows : 



Procure a large swan or pelican quill, ten inches 

 in length ; in the middle of this quill fix a cone of 

 cork, tapered at each end. The circumference of the 

 cone on one of my favourite floats is four inches at 

 its broadest part, its length nearly two inches. 

 Cork-piercers of different sizes can be obtained 

 from Messrs, Townson and Mercer, 89, Bishopsgate 

 Street, Within : these piercers are very handy for 

 float-making ; the tube cuts the hole through the 

 cork very neatly, and removes the loose core at the 

 same time. Pierce the hole through the cork 

 before the tapering is commenced ; cut this hole of 



