ROD FISHING IN THE SEA. 8i 



much good to-day, Robert, I fear ; but let us try another 

 round a Httle nearer to the rock." Quietly, with hardly 

 a motion of the oars, Robert kept the boat slowly 

 moving, I fished, as usual, with my trolling rod, baited 

 with the "gibbon," out on the starboard side, which 

 was the side farthest from the rock, and consequently 

 in the deepest water, whilst I fished the water nearer 

 the rock with my fly rod " whiffing," as it was too smooth 

 to cast. I got three or four of what Robert called 

 "humbugs" with the fly, and was just inclined to leave 

 when the reel of my trolling rod made its well-known 

 music. "That's a proper fish, sir," said Robert, and 

 so I found it, for though I had a strong rod and strong 

 tackle I had hard work to keep him from getting 

 into the tangle. A big pollack, when hooked, some- 

 times comes to the top of the water with a rush, but 

 more frequently he makes a run of from ten to forty 

 yards, and, unless checked and got well in hand, will 

 get down into the tangle and "thread the needle" 

 amongst the tough stalks, when you and your fish 

 will very soon part company. I had got to know the 

 Avays of " the critter," but this " proper fish" took out some 

 fifty yards of line in his first rush, the greater portion 

 of which I took back as soon as possible, and then he 

 sulked and, hanging like so much dead weight, refused 

 to be moved. " Pull away from the rock, Robert, 

 and slightly towards the fish," I said ; and this order 

 being promptly obeyed, I got on better terms with my 

 fish, and had the boat in a position for checking the 

 rushes which he would probably make towards his 



