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line (each loop about four inches long), for the purpose of 

 taking off and on ; so that he may change his hook, &c. 

 in case of accident, and take it off altogether when he 

 has done fishing 5 for he \vill find the good folks at the 

 sea- side rather forgetful, in pocketing other people's 

 tackle : mistaking them no doubt for their own ! 



In fishing from a boat, some little practice will be re- 

 quisite before you can ascertain when you have a bite 5 

 unless indeed, when some large or ravenous fish, which 

 is often the case, makes a dead pull, and leaves nothing 

 for the exercise of your judgment j he hooking himself 

 at the first attack. 



The proper position of the line must be understood j 

 thus : lay the back of your wrist fiat on the side of the 

 boat 3 the hand being overboard, with the back down- 

 wards, and in a horizontal position : let the line pass over 

 the flat of the hand, and over the middle joint of the 

 fore-finger, which must be thrown something forward 

 into die direction of the line 5 the other three fingers 

 partaking a little of the same inclination, but doubled 

 down so as to keep the line firmly in the hand. 



The thumb lays flat between the fore and middle 

 fingers ; not pressing the line, but keeping it steady in its 

 direction over the middle of the fore-finger 3 which prin- 

 cipaDy governs the line. 



The boat will rise and fall considerably j especially if 

 there is any wind, or any swell ; drawing the line up and 

 sinking it, alternately, in proportion to its own motion ; 

 Tv'hereby the bait is well displayed to the fishes. But 

 this motion comes sometimes rather suddenly, and occa- 

 sions a sensation on the fore-finger, not unlike a bite : a 

 very little practice will teach the difference. 



When 



