80 ANGLING. 



ing a slightly elliptical steel hoop into a brass plate. The 

 ring should be nearly half an inch in diameter. Mr Pennell 

 Bays 7-16ths of an inch for the middle joints, and 5-Stha 

 of an inch for the bottom ring, which is of the pronged 

 shape, so as to prevent as much as possible the line hitch- 

 ing over it. The top ring is made of various shapes, all 

 being designed to permit the free play of the line with the 

 minimum of any obstruction. From nine to twelve rings 

 are necessary, according to the length of the rod, includ- 

 ing the top and bottom rings. A well-seasoned hazel rod, 

 fitted with solid rings, will answer for a trolling-rod. The 

 best cheap rod is one made of a long bamboo cane, similar 

 to those hung out at the fishing-tackle shops. The rings 

 should be smooth and finely polished, so as not to chafe 

 the line. 



The best lines are those known as eight-plait dressed silk, 

 and should be from 50 to 80 yards long. With respect to 

 the reel : I have before mentioned the essentials of a good 

 reel, and those remarks apply with great force to the reel 

 of a trolling-rod. It should be of sufficient size to hold 

 the line easily. It should wind by a handle fixed in the 

 side-plate, be fitted with a check and the break-spring, so 

 as to prevent the line paying itself out. Mr Ryder, of 

 Ellis Street, Birmingham, has invented such a reel, which 

 is at once light, powerful, and unaffected by either heat or 

 damp. It is sober in colour, and principally formed of a 

 black composition, resembling ebony. It seems almost 

 iaipossible to derange its simple machinery. So manifest 

 are its advantages that all practical fishers speak highly of it. 



The troller also requires a bait-kettle, gaff, and one of 

 the excellent-fishing knives sold by Mr Weiss, 62 Strand, 

 which has been made from Mr Pennell's design, which 



