244 NOBBS'S ART OF TUOLLING. 



carry the bait close to the side ; and though a Pike 

 off en harbours by the side, yet the middle hath more 

 st'ope and advantage of drawing him to it : for these 

 laying lines, the jworst sort will serve because lying so 

 IOTILJ in the water will rot them. 



As to the length of the line, it is good to have 

 enough, for though a short lino may do in a brook or 

 some narrow place, where the Pike must either run up 

 or down, and so you may follow, yet if you come to 

 a broad reach, where the fish runs across the stream ta 

 the farther side, you may often miss of your Pike for 

 want of a few yards of line; if he be the least curbed 

 or sfopl in his sp<-edy carrer, and no' have his fu!l 

 swing, he is checked, and leaves his suspicious prey : 

 this 1 have often found by experience, though my line 

 was loner enough, yet having a knot in it that would 

 not quickly pass, being so entangled that it shortened 

 it, by that means have lost very good fish. 



As to the l< ngth ? about thirty yards is a good modi- 

 urn for the Pouch, 1 cannot see any reason why it n-ed 

 he so long at Snap, for though they may throw out as 

 tar at Snap, you strike as soon as he bites, and let him 

 run no further, whereas at Pouch he may go as far as 

 you please. 



It is true that the line at Snap ought to be thicker 

 and stronger, for a sudden jerk may break it ; it need 

 not be so long, because that is only for casting in, and 

 a Pike will sometimes run farther with it than it can be 

 thrown ; so that I have seen those that have fished at 

 Snap with no longer line than what was tied to the rod, 

 and so cast it up and down like an angle. 



As to the managing of the line, you may wind it 

 upon a roll that turns upon a ring, with your finger in 

 it ? having no more in your hand than you make use of, 

 so you may unwind it at your leisure. 



Some draw it after them at length, which I approve 

 us a very good way ; if there is no impediments, as 

 shrubs or bushes, to interrupt or make them go back ; 

 it will be ready to cast out, and you may throw it the 

 farthest; if you hold a great deal loose in your hand, 



