BOAT-FISHING. 171 
stout rope by a bowline or other safe knot. If 
the bottom is foul, it is advisable to bend a buoy- 
line to one of the flukes, so that, if it gets hung 
up, an extra strain on the latter will release it. 
The patent anchor does not need any such device, 
as it rarely gets foul, though I certainly recollect 
one instance in which we had to abandon one. 
There is a right way of throwing out an anchor 
as there is also a wrong. The first precaution 
necessary is to see that the rope is fast at either 
end and all clear. It is best at the bow, so that 
the boat may ride smoothly head to tide or wind, 
whichever prevails. If you are alone in a boat, the 
best plan (with the rope astern) is to get her well 
under way, then ship the oars, pitch the anchor well 
out astern, and make fast over the bow when the 
boat is over the desired spot (see below), provided 
of course the anchor is snug on the bottom. If, as 
is better, the anchor rope is fast to the ring in the 
bows, the solitary rower may for the moment sit 
with his back to the stern, get the boat in motion 
stern first, and proceed as before, throwing out in 
this case well ahead of the boat. With a second 
in the boat, the proceeding is yet easier. While 
one keeps the boat gently under way, the other, 
taking up his position at the bow (assuming 
that the anchor is made fast there), throws it 
ahead, the rower backs water until the rope is 
taut, when all is made fast. In calm water, it 
is unnecessary to let much rope out; when there 
is any breeze or swell, however, it is found more 
comfortable to let out all the rope available, when 
the craft rides much more smoothly. 
The stone, or killick, is easier to manipulate, 
as it may be dropped gently alongside, there being 
