AND HOW TO CATCH THEM. 29 



The Otter 



Is a contrivance which answers some of the ends 

 the cross line is intended to gain, but, unlike it, one 

 person can govern and regulate its movements. It is 

 to all intents and purposes a poaching implement, 

 and should never be used unless in peculiar places and 

 during some of the straits to which travellers and 

 emigrants are at times subjected. It is thus made : 

 a thin board of some light tough wood, such as willow 

 or withey, should be prepared, and so weighted with 

 lead at its lower edge that it will just swim upright. 

 Cut both ends of the board to a sharp edge, and bore 

 two holes through it, by which a string like the belly- 

 band of a kite and for the same purposes is knotted ; 

 to this the main line is secured. A short strong rod 

 and large free running reel should be used. 



"When the Otter is to be used, the flies, or baited 

 hooks, should be looped on as described in the last 

 article, the board set afloat, and by walking on and 

 towing it, the position of the belly-band will cause it 

 to run out, and keep the line at the desired distance 

 from the fisherman. It can be used from a boat or 

 canoe with much greater ease than from the shore. 



Albacore and Bonita. 



FAM., Scomberidce. 



The above fish, although occasional visitants to the 

 coast of England, can scarcely be classed among those 



