THE TROUT. 99 



standing as far as possible from the water up the 

 stream, and let it gently trip on the bottom -, and 

 when a Fish begins to bite, do not strike the first 

 time you feel a slight tug, but rather slacken your 

 line ; but when you feel one or more sharp tugs to- 

 gether, then strike smartly, and if a heavy Fish, give 

 him line, and be not in too great haste to land him. 



Note, it is necessary, in angling this way, to put as 

 many shot on your line as will readily sink the baited 

 hook ; because, if the stream be rapid, it is carried 

 away without touching the ground, and you have but 

 little chance then of a Trout taking your bait. While 

 thus angling with a tripping bait, keep as far from 

 the water as you can, and let the bait go with the 

 middle or roughest part of the stream. — Note, in some 

 small gravelly streams, cads are a more killing bait 

 than worms, especially in the months of April and May. 



The Trout is very strong, and struggles most vio- 

 lently 5 and, if an old Fish, generally, as soon as he 

 feels the hook, will leap out of the water more than a 

 foot high, and on falling again, will fly and flounce 

 about in every direction, to the great alarm of the 

 Angler for his rod, line, or hook. — Now bear in mind 

 what the Poet Thomson says : — 



*' With yielding hand, feeling him still, 

 Yet to his furious course give way. 

 Till floating broad upon his breathless side, 

 You safely drag your spangled prize on shore." 



The Minnow is a most killing bait for large old 



