24S NOBRS'S ART OF T ROLL ING. 



CHAP. XL 



Hozs) to Rait, and Play the Bait. 



THOUGH you are perfectly furnished with all sorts of 

 tools and instruments that are required to make a fish- 

 erman, you are as thoroughly accoutred with all the 

 materials and utensils for fishing as Piscator himself 

 could possibly be; yet if you know not how to use 

 thtse implements, you will be soon w( ary, and despair 

 learning the art of Trolling. Provided then your baits 

 are ready, take a couple of hooks at least with you; 

 you may bait them before you set out, especially if the 

 ueather is cold, that it may not trespass on your patu 

 tiice when you come to the river. 



The way then to bait your hook is first to thrust 

 your wire into the mouth of the fish, quite through the 

 belly and out at the tail. Some have, besides the run- 

 ning wire, a needle on purpose, but if the first joint of 

 your wire is stiff and strong, it may be done with that: 

 the point of the hook must be even with the belly of 

 the bait ; fur if it hang on either side, it may hinder and 

 check the Pike, who will probably lay his mouth upon 

 it ; for when his chops cross the fish, he may be prick- 

 ed, and so leave the bite : when you have put it 

 through the fish, then tie the tail of the bait fast to the 

 joint of the wire with strong thread, which will both 

 make it hang straight upon the hook, and preserve it 

 from outward violence; for if it is not well fastened, 

 the weeds will have so much power over it, that they 

 will soon tear it down to the gills, and separate the 

 hook from the bait : some fasten it with a needle. 



The best v ay of fixing your hook to the line is with 

 a swivel, which if you have not, you may make it fast 

 with a slip knot, which you may untie without cutting 

 your line. 



