220 THE TROLLEr's GUIDE. 



taken the bait : but if they shake the line and move, 

 after they have remained still about two or three mi- 

 nutes, you may conclude the Fish has pouched the 

 bait, and feels the hooks : then wind up your slack line, 

 and strike, but not violently j and always mind to keep 

 the point of your rod a little raised, while you are play- 

 ing and killing your Fish. On the other hand, if you 

 have a run, and the Fish lays still for a minute or so, 

 and moves a little way and stops, and perhaps moves a 

 third time, do not strike, for he has not yet pouched 5 but 

 let him remain ten minutes, for, perhaps, he may be 

 disturbed by a larger Fish making his appearance, 

 and, in consequence, he first endeavours to get away, 

 fearing the larger will dispossess him of his prey ; 

 therefore, in such cases, it is the safest way to give 

 time, or put on a snap-hook. 



When you have a run, and the Fish lays still, and 

 you are disposed to lay your rod down, be careful so 

 to place it, that nothing can impede the winch and line 

 acting freely, and stand handy to act as circumstances 

 may require ; for, sometimes, a heavy Fish, when he 

 feels the hook, will make a sudden and most violent 

 rush towards the middle, or up the river 5 and, in an 

 instant, rod, winch, and all, are drawn into the water, 

 or the line broken. 



When you have hooked or played a Fish until he is 

 quite weakened, and there are high sags or rushes be- 

 fore you, in which he will endeavour to entangle him- 

 self, or you are on a high bank, the safest way to land 

 your prize then is, by fixing a landing hook in him. 



