THROWING THE BAIT. 31 



which should be kept tight to the hip, draw 

 the line in with your left hand till the bait 

 hangs about five or six feet from the top of the 

 rod ; bring the rod round to the right, and 

 throw the bait sharply to the left, or vice versa, 

 as occasion may require, at the same time 

 letting free the line in your left hand. The 

 bait will then be carried out to the full extent 

 of the line, the coiled portion running freely 

 through the rings. 



The bait having entered the water, spin it 

 either across or against the stream ; in fact, in 

 any direction that the nature of the place may 

 render most convenient. Generally speaking, 

 it is not of vital importance which way you 

 spin your bait, so that you do it well. Observe 

 to keep your rod steady with the point about a 

 foot from the surface of the water, holding it 

 so that the top may keep a slight strain upon 

 the line, which should not be drawn in too fast 

 at each backward motion of the left hand. 

 When weeds are found within six or eight 

 inches of the surface, the bait should be 

 skimmed, as it were, nearly along the top of 

 the water. This may be done by having a 

 light bait, fewer shot, and keeping the top of 

 the rod well elevated. Spin in a steady 

 manner, just sufficiently fast to make your bait 

 revolve attractively at about half the depth of 

 the water without fouling weeds, but not so fast 

 as to make its speed greater than that of the 

 fish pursuing it. The revolving or spinning 



