8 COARSE FISH. 



such a size that the quill will fit tightly on the cork, 

 when fixed, the top of the cork should be four 

 inches below the top of the quill ; taper the cork 

 carefully (I use an old razor and then sandpaper), 

 and give the float a coat of green paint or enamel, 

 leaving the topmost three inches white, or give the 

 top a coating of bright red. This float is for deep 

 water, so a little gaudiness does not matter ; it has 

 to be seen at long distances. In foamy runs a red- 

 topped float is the best, the red stands out dis- 

 tinctly from the white foam, and, even in the glitter 

 of the sun, is much better than a white-topped one. 

 It will carry a small bullet or corking lead and 

 shots ; should greater weight be required to take the 

 bait down very quickly, a heavier float still and 

 corresponding weight must be employed. To finish 

 your float, two stiff rings, of different sizes, are 

 required. The larger is whipped to the cork, the 

 other to the lower end of the float, the upper ring 

 acting as a guide to the lower, this to allow the 

 float to travel on the line, hence called a " traveller," 

 or " slider " float. These rings must be strong, or 

 the lower one will soon get bent upwards and will 

 spoil the working of the line. I get some very 

 handy upper rings by cutting off the ends of safety 

 pins, and turning the loops into position with pliers. 

 Each ring must be at right angles to the float when 

 whipped on ; and the action of the float is this on 

 striking a fish, the line runs through the float-rings, 

 and your chance of hooking a fish is greatly increased, 

 as there is practically no pull of the float against the 

 water. I am certain many fish are lost by using a 

 heavy fixed float on the line. The adjustment of 

 the depth from float to hook may seem puzzling, 

 but it is as easy as A, B, C. Pass the running line 



