THE CHUB. 85 



alongside the punt. If fishing the edge of willows, 

 try close to the willows first, as close as ever the 

 float will run, then a little further out if you do 

 not get a fish. The rod should point down stream, 

 lower the top until it is quite close to the sur- 

 face ; by so doing you get the/ full sweep of the 

 rod in striking, which is very important in long 

 swims. Keep your rod in as straight a line with 

 the float as possible ; the line runs through the 



TACKLE AT WORK. 



rings all the easier for this, and careful manipula- 

 tion of the reel is necessary to prevent over-running 

 or jerking. Do not let the float get beyond the 

 bait ; it will do so if allowed, and if it does you are 

 not fishing properly. The float should be checked 

 steadily on its way down the swim, not enough to 

 pull the bait up, but just sufficiently to keep all 

 " waves " or curls out of your line. Each curl of 

 line on the water means slackness when you strike, 

 and it takes but little slackness to cause you to 

 miss a fish. If the line sags about all down the 

 swim, you have but little chance of fishing success- 



