214 HOW TO MAKE CORK-FLOATS. 



bait and maggot-fishing in still deeps, quills of the 

 smallest size should be used. Here let the sportsman 

 bear in mind that the smaller and finer the float, con- 

 sistent with the depth and strength of the current and the 

 weight to be suspended, the better will be his success ; 

 and if the water is moderately clear this is of paramount 

 importance. The angler must likewise remember that 

 either in comparatively still or shallow waters, less lead 

 is required to sink the bait to a proper depth than in 

 rapid or deep ones, and that consequently, a less bulky 

 and conspicuous float will suffice. 



CORK-FLOATS How MADE. 



Take a good sound piece of cork, free from cracks and 

 flaws, and of the requisite thickness ; and with a cork- 

 borer (the barrel of a steel pen sharpened on its upper 

 edge will answer as a substitute), bore a hole longitudi- 

 nally through its centre, across the grain of the cork ; 

 then pare it with a very sharp knife into the shape of a 

 pear or an ellipsoid, or any shape desired, and to a 

 proper size. For live-bait fishing for pike, and for the 

 purpose of sustaining heavy bait and sinkers in deep 

 powerful rivers, the float may be made of the size and 

 shape of a small bergamot pear; but for trout, perch, 

 and eels, and for waters of moderate depth and velocity, 

 not larger than a walnut or nutmeg. The surface of 

 the cork is then to be pared as smooth as possible, and 

 neatly polished with pumice-stone, and a quill of small 

 diameter inserted through the hole and fixed in its 



