22 THE ANGLER. 



without removing the winch. Without the 

 clearing-ring and line, the young angler some- 

 times loses his line, float and all. Should you, 

 however, get your line fixed at a time when you 

 have no clearing-ring, do not pull upwards, or 

 too forcibly, as that method will be more likely 

 to deprive you of your line, and perhaps your 

 top joint, than to free your hook. Grasp your 

 rod firmly, and draw the line sideways, not too 

 forcibly, and then you will break away with 

 perhaps no more loss than that of a single 

 hook. 



THE DRAG HOOK. 



The Drag Hook is used to remove weeds. It 

 consists of three or four strong iron wire hooks 

 fastened to a long iron or wooden rod. It is 

 not so useful, however, as the landing-hook or 

 gaff, which is fastened to the thick end of the 

 rod, or to a rod made in pieces, sliding one 

 into the other, like a telescope. The gaff is 

 sometimes plain, sometimes barbed. It is 

 useful in clearing weeds, or getting the line 

 away from a stone, &c. 



THE PLUMB. 



The Plumb is used for trying the depth of 

 the stream. In bottom-fishing it is always 

 necessary to ascertain the true depth of the 

 water. This is done by attaching the hook to the 

 plumb-lead, and dropping it into the water. 

 When the lead touches the bottom, the float 

 will be even on the surface, and you will have 

 the true depth. You will then be able to fix 



