90 SEA-FISH. 
just enough to hold the bottom and not too much 
for the angler to feel the slightest nibble. It is 
not only in river-fishing that the largest fish give 
the most finicking bites. All the patent leads 
that I have yet come across necessitate altcring 
the weight by 2 ozs. or more at a time, and the 
effect is bad. Some day, one is tempted to think, 
the difficulty will be got over by the use of small 
quantities of quicksilver, than which there is no 
better medium for the purpose. Meanwhile, I 
manage pretty well with a coil of pliant lead wire 
Open for use. Closed for pocket. 
“ ManTEB” SpROOL. 
—the ordinary plummet-foil answers the purpose 
as well, but the wire is easier to fix on stout line— 
which enables me to add weight by the merest 
fraction of an ounce and ina shape not calculated to 
alarm the fish. All leads, by the way, should be 
attached to gut traces by an intervening loop of 
silk, as the metal—whether the lead be perforated 
or provided with a brass loop—frays the gut at 
once, 
To the cases in which the hand-line is preferable 
to the more civilised rod may be added that of 
autumn beach-fishing from a sloping shore. Here, 
