PIKE-TACKLE. 27 



imperfections in the manufacture of new swivels and the 

 results of rust or wear and tear upon old ones, a swivel very 

 often ceases to work properly, — a fact which is generally first 

 made known to the troller by the kinking and twisting up of 

 the line, entailing much trouble before it can be rectified. With 

 a view to remedying this inconvenience, I suggested in the 

 'Modern Practical Angler'' the substitution of two swivels joined 

 in one (or a ' double swivel ') — wide cut — by which the proba- 

 bility of the accident alluded to is reduced to a 

 minimum. In fact, two swivels like that shown in 

 the engraving will be found ample for the purposes 

 either of spinning-traces, or for gorge or live-bait 

 tackle. 



A good many swivels have been invented with 

 some sort of spring loop at one end, to and from 

 which the line or trace can be attached and detached — swivel. 

 such as the 'buckle,' the 'corkscrew,' 'watch-spring' 

 swivel, &c., &c. — and these, if perfect, would be of the 

 greatest practical convenience in the manipulation of all 

 kinds of pike-tackle. None of the ' hook-swivels,' however, 

 which have come under my notice are free from serious de- 

 fects, or combine in all respects what is required. These 

 requirements are very simple — first, that the line should be 

 capable of being slipped on and off with the utmost ease and 

 rapidity, and without such careful manipulation by the thumb 

 and finger nail as may, especially in cold weather, make the 

 operation an exceedingly difficult one ; secondly, that the line 

 should by no possibility be able to disengage itself accidentally 

 from the swivel ; and thirdly, that the arrangement should be 

 small, neat, and sightly— the last desideratum being indispen- 

 sable for practical purposes. 



These requirements, as I have said, are not to be found 

 united in any one of the existing patterns with which I am 

 acquainted, those fulfilling the former failing more or less 

 signally in the last named, and I have, therefore, endeavoured 



1 5th Edit. Routledge and Co., Broadway, London. 



