THE ROD IN SALT WATER 395 



the reel line, will be found useful, and is absolutely 

 necessary when the bait is being towed astern of the 

 boat, as the gut would otherwise get irretrievably 

 twisted up. When after small fish, such as pout or 

 whiting, three or four hooks may be used, but for bass 

 and pollack a single large hook gives the best results, 

 as not only are the big fish more wary, and more likely 

 to be scared by a second hook, but success might be as 

 disastrous as failure, for two lusty pollack on the rod 

 at the same time would be a bad job for the rod. 



The " sundries " which make up the angler's furni- 

 turehavebeen well memorised in Mr. Malloch's chapter. 

 Tackle and bait (particularly Kquid\y&\\. for master and 

 men) are not likely to be forgotten, but a dozen odds 

 and ends suggest themselves as obvious adjuncts to 

 comfort and safety. The special case of fishing in small 

 boats some distance from land demands a few items that 

 were outside Mr. Malloch's scope. The weather or 

 temperature may change with suddenness, and water- 

 proofs, or other protection against wet and cold, should 

 not be overlooked. A change of wind may necessitate 

 a long beat back to port, and as darkness or fog may in 

 the meantime fall over sea and land, a lamp should be 

 carried, and some means of signalling in case of distress 

 is also desirable where there is any chance of being run 

 down, either coloured lights (Roman candles serve 

 admirably) or a heavy revolver with blank ammunition. 

 Personally, I never go afloat without a little court plaster 

 and boracic lint, as weevers and other fish can inflict 



