210 COARSE FISH. 



the water fished. When fishing on the surface 

 without lead, or in shallows, I keep the float quite 

 ten feet away from the bait. It is only a guide 

 to position, and not a float in the ordinary sense of 

 the word. In weir corners, it is sometimes neces- 

 sary to have a float only a foot from the lead, 

 keeping the bait in the undercurrent, but not 

 allowing it to be sucked right into the weir. In 

 swift water, the float often hangs a few inches 

 above the surface, the line from rod-top to lead 

 being quite taut from the pressure on lead and 

 bait. Corks should be tapered, being then less 

 liable to catch in obstructions, and not spurting 

 up the water so much when the tackle is wound 

 in. 



It often happens in weirs that the hooks foul 

 To clear some obstacle, generally sunken. Take 



line care not to strain the rod in trying to 

 free the tackle. Gentle pressure should be applied ; 

 but if the hooks refuse to quit their hold, a willow 

 loop should be run down the line. This will often 

 wash the hooks clear, or a second one may do so. 

 Should both fail, there is nothing else to do but 

 put on a powerful strain, lower the rod, and pull 

 directly on the obstruction ; the heavy strain may 

 possibly tear the hooks clear, but getting "hung 

 up " generally means loss of much tackle. Do not 

 pull on the line by winding the winch, or the winch 

 may be strained ; wind the line round the hand, 

 and pull from the hand. Take care the fine line 

 does not slip, or it will cut badly. I have cut my 

 fingers deeply on two occasions through letting 

 the line slip. The strain that a long length of 

 line bears is wonderful ; it is occasionally quite 

 difficult to break with a steady strain, while even 



