16 HINTS—COLOUR OF LANDING-HANDLE. [PART I. 
stances when he could not otherwise do 80; as, for 
instance, in a high wind, in long grass, or off a 
weir, as well as to carry his line from one part of 
the water to another in readiness for a cast, in- 
stead of dragging it trailing behind him, at the 
risk of it’s getting hung up, and collecting all man- 
ner of rubbish in it’s course. 
With regard to the general management of the 
rod and line, when spinning, I will only give two 
hints, which may be useful. AJl the rest must be 
learnt by practice. One is to avoid, as much as 
possible, in the act of throwing, anything ap- 
proaching to a jerk; the other, after throwing, to 
let the point of the rod follow the batt until it 
reaches the water. 
The Landing-handle, whether Gaff or Net be 
used, should always be of a dark colour, if not 
black. Should the net also be well tanned, it will 
not only last longer, but be more serviceable while 
it lasts. It is quite curious how much more rea- 
dily fish are alarmed by a light-coloured landing- 
stick (cane for instance) than a dark one. Many 
minutes, which can be ill-spared when the fish are 
in the humour for taking, are often saved by the 
use of the latter. A Gaff affixed to a small dark- 
coloured handle will, if skilfully applied, often 
