PIKE-TACKLE. 13 



The rings for all trolling-rods should be what is called 

 ■stiff' (upright), and sufficiently large to admit of the line pass- 

 ing readily through them, and of sufficient hardness to be 

 capable of resisting considerable friction. Another point is 

 that the top and bottom rings should be so shaped as to pre- 

 vent the line catching round or over them whilst in the act of 

 running out. The diagrams represent the sizes and shape of 

 rings which, after a good many experiments, I have found most 

 suitable to the purpose, and which are now very generally 

 adopted by troUers. 



It will be seen that in the bottom ring, which is about the 

 best size for a medium length of rod, the perpendicular sup- 

 ports are wider apart at the base than at the apex, the object 

 being to frustrate any curls or 'hitches' which the line may 

 attempt to twist round them. This, it can be safely asserted, 



FIG. I. — ' PRONGED TOP RING. FIG. 2.— STEEL ROD RING. 



will be found of really great practical convenience to the troller. 

 Perhaps, however, the form of the top ring is of even greater 

 importance, as it is both more liable to catch in the line and 

 proportionately more difficult to clear at a distance of twelve or 

 thirteen feet. The material, as in the case of all the other rings, 

 should be steel or iron wire, and the shape of the ring shown 

 in the engraving represents the results of some pains and 

 trouble bestowed on the subject by the late Mr. Frank Buckland 

 and myself 



The merit of this invention is the avoidance of all projec- 

 tions over which the line would or could possibly ' hitch ' itself. 

 It is, in fact, to a certain extent, a modification of the principle 

 of the pronged ring recommended for the tottom joint The 

 wire, it will be seen, is made to branch out in the shape of a V, 



