24 C $O.BBS'S AllT OF TROLLING. 



from me like a stone to the length of my line, the end 

 1 fasten about me. In some places, they fish that way 

 where the river is deep and clear from weeds. I never 

 accustomed myself to a long rod, and 1 generally made 

 use of an elder as long as I could get, commonly about 

 three yards long, which I barked and kept dry for light- 

 ness and easy carriage : when it was thoroughTy ^dry it 

 was tough and light, that 1 could scarcely feel it in my 

 hand ; and there is no objection to be made that such a 

 stick is too weak ; for any thing is strong enough at 

 Pouch that will play the bait and throw it ; there is no 

 weight or stress upon the rod, and but little upon the 

 line ; if you strike the fish gently and play him slightly 

 and dexterously, you may tire him with a slender line, 

 if it be long, and can keep him from weeds and roots. 

 At Snap, your tackle must be fitted accordingly, your 

 line very strong, and your rod on purpose, of a good 

 ash, withy, or hazel well dried: straight and tough, 

 that it may be able to draw him out nolens volens, by 

 mere force. He that uses that way is scarcely a word 

 and a blow, for the mistaken fish no sooner lays his 

 mouth upon the deceitful bait, but he is brought up 

 into another element. The way of Pouch is far more 

 rnild and flattering, though as much destructive and 

 pernicious. 



if you use an ash or an hazel rod, you must have a 

 ring fixed to the end, some have two, or more, though 

 1 see no necessity of that superfluity. If it be an elder 

 or a cane, or any hollow wood, you may have an iron 

 ring made to screw in at the top, or else that which 

 may be as well, a piece of dry alder that is cut sharp 

 and sloping, about three or four inches long, which 

 you may stick fast in the end of the rod : some have 

 only a ring with a little screw very short. If your rod 

 be of alder, it will be apt to crack, you may secure 

 that by binding the end of it hard with a waxed thread, 

 and then you may thrust in the top without any danger 

 of breaking or cleaving the rod. 



A dry withy or hazel, bored about twelve or four. 

 teen feet, will make an excellent rod ; which may serve 



