HOW AND WHERE TO SPIN. 95 



After allowing a few moments (according to the depth of 

 the water) for the bait to sink, he lowers the point of the rod to 

 within a foot or so of the surface, and holding it at something 

 approaching a right angle to the bait, immediately begins draw- 

 ing in the line with his left hand, making with his right a corre- 

 sponding backward movement of the rod between each ' draw.' 

 The effect of this backward movement (which to the spinner 

 soon becomes a sort of mechanical see-saw), is practically to 

 recover the position of the rod, which is deranged by each 

 drawing in of the line — being, in fact, partly bent, and partly 

 pulled forward by the ' draw,' — and the object is, to prevent the 

 bait being stationary whilst the left hand is preparing for a fresh 

 movement. In order to accomplish this compound operation 

 satisfactorily, the most convenient plan is, to hold the rod 

 firmly with the right hand, just below the lowest ring, letting 

 the line pass between the upper joints of the middle and fore- 

 finger, and resting the butt of the rod firmly against the hip. 



In spinning from a punt, an agreeable change of posture is 

 obtained by standing with the right foot on the side or well of 

 the boat, and partially supporting the elbow and rod on the 

 knee. 



The 'draws' or pulls, and the corresponding movements of 

 the rod must, of course, be varied in length and rapidity accord- 

 ing to the depth of water, size of boat, and other circumstances; 

 but a good medium speed, when the left hand, or rather the 

 line, is carried well back, is about forty ' draws ' per minute ; 

 and a cast for every two yards of stream fished, is the allowance 

 which, on the whole, will generally be found the most advan- 

 tageous. 



The bait should not be taken out of the water until brought 

 close up to the bank, or side of the boat, as it is not at all an 

 uncorhmon circumstance for a fish, who has perhaps been 

 following it all the way across, to make a dash at it at the last 

 moment when he appears to be about to lose it 



When there is danger of throwing the bait into opposing 

 trees or weed beds, it is well to let the line run lightly through 



