TACKLE 35 



of a yard in length, including two steel box swivels, 

 each generally three-eighths of an inch long. 



If you wish to mount metal minnows you will require 

 a stock of gut casts one yard long and iX in size, together 

 with a supply of small steel box swivels. I suggest a 

 somewhat heavier size of gut casts for spinning than that 

 used for fly-work, as the trebles are liable to foul weeds 

 and twigs, and, to retrieve the minnow, force has often 

 to be employed. 



Should you contemplate threadline fishing, you will 

 require a special reel, usually described as a " fixed spool " 

 or " stationary drum " pattern. Several reliable makes 

 are now on the market, and each will function with a 

 maximum of ease. In addition, a suitable line is neces- 

 sary : A waxed, plaited silk one of fifty yards, with a 

 breaking strain of six pounds, will suffice for sea-trout 

 spinning, but some anglers prefer to use a gut substitute 

 line. 



The advantages of threadlining may be briefly out- 

 lined as follows. The minnow or other similar bait can 

 be cast long distances direct from the reel, without the 

 risk of an overrun. The slipping clutch of the reel per- 

 mits a hooked fish to jump suddenly and bolt without 

 breaking the line, although at that instant the angler 

 is reeling in the fish. Further, the line can be retrieved 

 with the utmost rapidity. 



I am not a lover of threadlining, as the time occupied 

 in playing a fish is, in my opinion, altogether too long. 

 If you hook, in a desirable pool, a sea-trout of two pounds, 

 the fish, by the time it has spent itself, will have covered 

 practically all the water and, as a result of its wild darts, 

 will have so disturbed the pool that other likely fish will 

 be put down for a lengthy period. 



This style of fishing is, I maintain, suitable only when 

 the angler is working private waters and then when he 



