CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME. IH 



Angler : Would you care to try ? But before you do, just watch me 

 again and note that I allow the line to become fairly well extended both 

 in front and behind before I make the next stroke. Then, too, I must 

 caution you to make your strokes with deliberation and only to use the 

 wrist and forearm when easting. Now try. 



Tourist : Well, what happened then 1 What made the line strike the 

 water ? 



Angler: You made your forward stroke too long. In other words, 

 you should have checked the rod before it had gone very far beyond the 

 vertical. Shorten the line a bit and try again. 



Tonrist : That is better. I seem to be getting on to it now. What was 

 that splash over there, just below that willow ? 



Angler: That was a fish. We wdll let him have a few more real 

 'hoppers before we try him with an imitation one. Until the fish are 

 feeding steadily, they are rather particular as to what they take, but 

 as soon as they have taken a few 'hoppers without any accidents they 

 are willing to look at a fly. 



Tourist : Did you see that ? He took another. 



Angler: Let's crawl up and get a little closer to him — never cast an 

 inch further than you have to. Now we are in position. Watch closely 

 and see just where he takes down the 'hoppers. There, he got that 

 one all right ! Now, run your eye up along the surface for two or three 

 feet and locate the spot where the fly should fall so that it will float 

 over the spot where the fish took that last 'hopper. Well, that place 

 up stream- is where our fly must fall so that it will come down over 

 Mr. Fish in a natural manner. 



Tourist : There, he has taken another ! 



Angler : Well, here goes. We '11 try for him. I make a preliminary 

 cast in the air just above the surface to see if my line is long enough 

 or otherwise. Not quite enough, so I will pull off a little more; that 

 is about right. Now watch the fly. It is getting close. Yes ! He has it ! 



Tourist: That is a good fish. See him jump? 



Angler : Will you land the fish when I bring it in ? Put the net well 

 down into the water, and with one motion lift the net and scoop out 

 the fish. 



Tourist : All right, give me the net. 



Angler: All ready? Here comes the fish. 



'Tourist: Say, that fish must w^eigh two pounds. Why don't you 

 bring it in? 



Angler: Never try to land a fish until it is all in, because if you do, 

 in its struggles, it is very liable to catch the leader on the net and then 

 it will break loose. 



Tourist : How can you tell when the fish is played out ? 



Angler : Whenever you see a fish turn on its side, it is a sign that the 

 fight is over. See that ! He showed his side then. He is almost fin- 

 ished. Here he comes. Take your time and don't get excited. Well 

 done ! You 've got it all right. 



Tourist : Why do you knock the fish on the head ? 



Angler : To kill it. It not only puts an end to the fish 's sufferings, 

 but the fish will keep better. 



Tourist: How much does it weigh? 



Angler : One and a half pounds. 



