212 PURPOSES OF THE SWIVEL-TRACE. 



intelligent learner will be able himself to make 

 such a tackle and use it. 



The following remarks on spinning by Captain 

 Williamson are practically sound. He says, " The 

 swivel-trace answers two purposes ; it prevents 

 your line from being wrenched, by the largest fish, 

 into twists and snarls ; and it causes your bait to 

 play round, or, as it is called, to spin freely in 

 the stream, whereby it imitates more closely the 

 action of a live minnow, and prevents the hook, 

 &c. from being distinguished. The bait thus pre- 

 pared, is called a spinning- bait, on account of the 

 great rapidity with which it revolves, when pro- 

 perly played, especially when the current is strong. 

 It is very tempting ; and when large fish, disposed 

 to feed are near, you may depend on success. 



" If you have command of your water, and can 

 carry your rod as you please, you should com- 

 mence by casting your bait from you very gently, 

 so as to alight in the stream without splashing 

 more than a minnow would in one of its jumps. 

 Then draw your rod in such direction as may 

 cause the bait to cross the stream obliquely to- 

 wards you. When near you, it should be con- 

 ducted from you, in a similar manner, by an 

 adverse tendency of the rod, carrying the bait 

 now and then somewhat higher in the stream, 

 and sometimes lower, so as to give ample range. 

 The extent of your compass, in that respect, 



