244 COARSE FISH. 



of the rod pull down a long loop of line, holding this 

 loop in the left hand. Bring the rod back, making the 



throw as usual ; when the line gets straight with 

 throw the rod, let the loop go, keeping the left hand 



near the rod. If gently and quietly done, the 

 line will run out through the rings, too much force will 

 probably wind the loop over the rod, or tangle it in the 

 rings, particularly if these be upright and unguarded. 



Greaves can be obtained from tallow-chandlers and many 

 oilmen. The cakes must be broken or chopped 

 Greaves ^^ ^^^ thoroughly well scalded or stewed before 

 use. Take great care not to overbait with this, as it 

 sickens fish quickly. A careful baiting will frequently 

 give good sport with barbel and chub. English greaves 

 are best. 



Every angler who fishes much in the Thames should 

 _, do his utmost to ke6p a punt of his own ; for, 

 punt until he can manage a punt, find his swims, and, 

 in short, do everything for himself, he has not 

 realised the full delight of Thames angling. A punt, 

 sufficiently good for angling purposes, is not very expen- 

 sive ; at the close of the boating season, say, about 

 October, or a little later in the year, a very good punt 

 may be bought for ^^5, and once I bought a good 

 mahogany punt for a friend for less money. An angler's 

 punt need not be very spick and span, with mats and 

 cushions, and a wonderful parasol to keep the sun off; 

 so long as she is sound, and has a good well, little more 

 is required. Do not buy a punt without both seeing and 

 trying her ; the novice should get some experienced 

 friend to see how she travels, and whether she leaks ; 

 also, whether the punt is stiff enough for the purpose, for 

 a very light, low-sided punt is of little use to the angler 

 for weir-work. There is such a pressure of water against 

 the punt in some of the weir-runs, when " fixed up " for 

 barbel-fishing, that only a stiff-built punt will stand the 

 strain, particularly with two or more people in her. The 

 well, and the water in it, stiffen and steady a punt con- 

 siderably ; and a bargain should be made, when the punt 

 is bought, for a well to be fitted, if it is not there already. 

 Bar gratings are better than those simply pierced with 



