Quill at all times. For deep swift waters, a large pelican or swan quill, for slower and shallower waters a much smaller one.
14. Is line heavily shotted?
For deep waters I use a float carrying upwards of 20 medium-sized shot. These are placed on a space of about a foot, the bottom one not nearer than about three feet from the hook, with just one shot on the gut attached to hook. This arrangement ensures the bait being carried swiftly to the bottom and kept steady, very important items in roach fishing.
15. Is float best attached by lower end only?
Yes, this plan which has been in practice with the “Norwich School” for many years past is decidedly the best, and admits of much more neatness and accuracy in striking a fish than when the float is attached by upper end as well as lower.
16. Do you strike at first dip?
When good fish are on the feed, the float is first affected by a slight tremulous movement, and almost immediately settles down, generally in a slanting direction; the moment to strike is just as the settling down commences. This, however, requires a large amount of practice and some keen observation before an angler becomes expert. Sudden perky bites indicate small fish, and these are often the most difficult to catch.
17. Are the fish much affected by change of wind, rain, thick water, etc., and is there any rule on this head?
Have always found a S.W. to N.W. wind the most favourable, especially when the water is “grey” or thick, and have had capital sport with a moderate east wind, but never when it has blown strongly from that quarter, and the old maxim
“When the wind blows from the east
The fish bite the least,
When the wind’s from the west
The fish bite the best,”