28 SEA FISH; 



their shifting. "When looped on, each trace should 



be about four feet long, the first eighteen inches 



twisted, and the remainder single salmon gut, looped 



at each end. "When about to be used, the centre 



piece is stretched to its full length between sticks 



planted in the ground for the purpose, the traces 



looped on, and the flies attached, taking care to vary 



the patterns as much as possible. If boat-fishing is 



intended, the reel lines should be made fast to the 



centre piece, through the swivels at the ends ; and the 



line stretched from boat to boat, pulling or drifting, 



as may be most expedient, keeping the rods low, and 



allowing the flies to play just below the surface. If 



it is intended to fish a river, the end of one of the 



reel lines should be made fast to a stone of convenient 



weight, a sufficient quantity of line coiled down on 



the bank, and then by a strong upward cast pitch the 



stone to the opposite bank, where it is detached by the 



companion in waiting, who has the centre piece and 



flies ready to attach and wind over to their proper 



position. Each fisherman plays the fish which may 



happen to take on his side of the swivels in the centre, 



reeling up or giving line as the fish either approaches 



or leaves him. A code of signals should always be 



arranged, so that by holding up a hand or dropping it, 



line may be either given or taken, as necessity may 



require. Brisk windy weather is generally best for 



this kind of fishing. 



