189 



loop, large enough to allow a man's head to pass through. 

 In using this you must look the jack full in the face, 

 keeping your eyes fixed on his ; whereby he will be in a 

 manner fascinated, and will remain motionless. 



Lower your pole very gradually, so that the wire loop may 

 pass under his level at about a foot before his nose ; when 

 you think you have got it to such a direction as may girt 

 him all around, without touching him in any part, you 

 must gradually move the noose or loop forward, until 

 you have passed his gills ; then with a sudden jerk, pull 

 light, so that the loop may draw close upon his shoulders, 

 and without any delay lift him out of the water. See Fig, 

 5, Plate IV. 



The learner will perceive that a steady hand, and a no 

 less correct eye, are requisites to ensure success in this 

 branch of the sport. He should be careful that his tackle 

 is sound j for when he has to deal with a jack of ten or 

 twelve pounds weight, whatever defects there may be, 

 will soon disclose themselves to his great mortification and 

 chagrin. 



The wire for this purpose ought to be as thick as the 

 thinnest size of knitting needles ; and as it is very apt to 

 be brittle and untoward, if used as it comes from the 

 mill, the angler will do well if he purchases a whole 

 ring, which may be had for alx>ut a shilling, and put 

 it into a small earthen vessel, filling it up with dry sand, 

 or brick-dust, &c. This being set on the fire, will in a 

 little while heat the wire sufficiently to render it more 

 flexible, and take off the brittleness to which it is sub- 

 jected in milling. If it be not sufficiently softened by 

 the first nealing (as this process is termed,) let it be re- 

 peated until the wire is tough and pliant. 



It 



