THE WINCH FOR SPINNING PURPOSES. 103 



casting. Where the fish do not run large, an ordinary 

 fly-rod answers admirably for spinning purposes, 

 when a short stiff top-piece is substituted for the 

 slender fly-top joint, the only drawback being the 

 minute loose rings, which hinder the free passage of 

 the line. 



THE LINE should be plaited silk, waterproof, of 

 about one-half the usual thickness of a dressed fly- 

 line ; 40 or 50 yards are required for any water more 

 open than small brooklets, etc. Nothing is so trying 

 to a line as bait spinning ; and if it is desirable to keep 

 the line sound for a long period, it should never be 

 worked undressed and unprotected, or a very short time 

 when constantly used will serve to rot and fray it, 

 so as to render it unfit for use. Twist or cable-laid lines 

 are also of little utility, as after a severe trial the reel 

 frequently resembles a ball of loose hemp or tow, the 

 turn or twist having in part been taken out by the 

 spinning action of the bait. The new acme wire 

 lines are now being used for all-round fishing, but they 

 are best adapted for the fly. 



THE REEL, as in pike fishing, should be of the 

 improved Nottingham type. Some of these are 

 made of metal, some of wood ; the best of the latter 

 are metal-bound, these are greatly to be preferred 

 to the original all-wood patterns, no inconvenience 

 being experienced from the wood swelling. The 

 free action of these Nottingham reels is their great 

 recommendation practice will enable the angler to 

 work efficiently. A thorough command of both rod, 

 reel, and line is necessary to comfort in fishing. In 



