THROWING UNDER TREES. 129 



enabled to throw, as I have just related, with so 

 limited a space between it and the surface of the 

 water. 



Throwing under Trees, and how to Disentangle the 

 Tackle. 

 Occasions will also frequently require a throw 

 under branches hanging within two yards, or 

 even one, of the water, 



" Would you lure 

 From his dark haunt beneath the tangled roots 

 Of pendant trees, the monarch of the brook." 



This, well performed, is an admirable sight, and 

 often excites the praise of less practised fishers. 

 Yet it is after all not so very difficult, with a little 

 bold practice ; nor when the first dread of entan- 

 glement is conquered. To this latter end, I have 

 often pointed out to you the necessity of being 

 accompanied, at the river's side, by Colman's 

 '* angler's friend," to disengage the fly from trees 

 on the angler's side — while the common folding 

 brass clearing ring, and a long strong hempen 

 line, come into use on the opposite bank. But 

 should entanglement take place, in eight times 

 out of ten, neither is required — nothing but 

 O'Connell's delight, agitation ! agitation ! In 

 other words, when this mishap happens to myself, 

 the first thing I do is to lay down my rod, and 

 taking hold of the line, gently to tug and shake 

 it, till (if success attends me) the fly drops oft'. 



K 



