116 SCIENCE OF FISHING. 



an outfit is easily handled as the hook is simply baited with 

 an angleworm or other natural bait and thrown out into the 

 stream as far as it will reach, providing, of course, that the 

 best place for fishing lies in that direction. If desired a cork, 

 wood, or quill float may be used, and by having rod rests on 

 the bank the angler may "set" his rod, then retire to a nice 

 place farther up from the water where he can see the float 

 and know by its movements when a fish is biting. The rod 

 rests are crotched sticks stuck into the bank the one 

 nearest the water being highest and the top forked, the other 

 one having a hook, a short branch, near the projecting end, 

 and the rod is placed in the fork of the one and under the 

 hook of the other. When a fish bites he is hooked by a 

 quick light jerk and drawn out of the water by a steady pull. 

 The proper tackle to use for each kind of 'fish will be men- 

 tioned in the part devoted to that fish, farther on. 



Still fishing may be done with a hand line if desired. 

 The lines are simply cast out into the water and the end tied 

 fast to a small branch or stick set in the bank. 



Eels and catfish are sometimes taken at night by a line 

 and bait, but no hook. The bait is a bunch of angleworms 

 strung on a thread and wound into a ball. This is tied to 

 the end of the line and let down to the bed of the stream 

 from a boat. When a bite is felt the line is slowly drawn 

 up to the surface and the catch lifted into the boat by a 

 quick, steady lift. 



Then there is the trot line method. A long, heavy line 

 is fastened at the bank and a heavy stone is tied securely to 

 the other end, then the line is taken into a boat and paid out 

 as the boat is rowed across the stream. Where there is a 

 current of any strength the boat is held at an angle against 

 the current and rowed upstream, in a quartering direction, 

 and the wash of the current against the side carries it 

 straight across. When the end of the line is reached the 

 store is dropped overboard and the line is in position to re- 



