30 



SINKERS, &C. FLOATS 



The Slide Sinker, is nothing more or less than a thick 

 lead tube, slightly rounded at each end. It is used princi- 

 pally in bottom fishing ; the object of the tube being to allow 

 the line to pass through at the least motion of the fish, which 

 is thus immediately felt. It is considered jmuch better than 

 the old plan, where the fish moves the weight of the sinker, 

 before the Angler has notice of his luck. 



The Swivel Sinker is decidedly the best in use for any 

 kind of fishing, and is made similar to the Plain, with the ex- 

 ception of the swivels at each end, instead of the plain sta- 

 tionary loops. This arrangement gives the double advantage, 

 both of " spinning " the bait in trolling, and of preventing 

 the line from twisting, and consequent entanglement of the 

 leaders, hooks, &c. 



Split Shot are used almost universally for trout fishing. 

 They should be quite small, and where greater weight is ne- 

 cessary, should be used in larger numbers rather than of 

 large size, as these latter make much noise when the line is 

 thrown, and are apt to frighten the fish. 



Swivels are used for " spinning " bait, and for preventing 

 entanglement of the line. They are placed in various parts 

 of the tackle, but usually on the gut-length, or leader, and 

 should be a necessary appendage to the equipment. 



Should this chapter prove rather heavy for the patience of 

 the reader, it is to be hoped that the buoyancy of the next 

 may enable him to recover his equilibrium. 



FLOATS. 



Floats are made of quills, cork, and red cedar, of various 

 sizes, adapted to the current of water, or the peculiar descrip- 

 tion of angling, and are of two shapes, egg and oblong. 



The float used for trout is generally made of quills or 

 cork, and cannot be too light for fishing in clear streams ; 



