106 FLY-FISHING; FOR TROUT 



it is twenty to one he should have not broken my 

 line, by running to the rod's end as you suffered him. 

 I would have held him within the bent of my rod, 

 unless he had been fellow to the great trout that is 

 near an ell long, which was of such a length and ieo 

 depth that he had his picture drawn, and now is to be 

 seen at mine host Rickabie's, at The George in Ware ; 

 and, it may be, by giving that very great trout the 

 rod, that is, -by casting it to him into the water, 

 I might have caught him at the long run; for so 

 I use always to do when I meet with an overgrown 

 fish. And you will learn to do so too hereafter, for, 

 I tell you, scholar, fishing is an Art or, at least, it is 

 an art to catch fish. 



Yen. But, master, will this trout which I had a hold 170 

 of die ? for it is like he hath swallowed the hook. 



Pise. I will tell you, scholar, that, unless the hook 

 be fast in his very gorge, 'tis more than probable 

 he will live ; and a little time, with the help of the 

 water, will rust the hook, and it will wear away. 



Ven. Master, do not trouts see us ? 



Pise. Yes, even in the night (for there is night- as 

 well as day-fishing for trout), and hear, and smell too, 

 both then and in the daytime. And you are to note 

 that the great old trout is both subtle and fearful, iso 

 and lies close all day, and does not usually stir out of 

 his hold; but lies in it as close, in the day, as the 

 timorous hare does in her form : for the chief feeding 

 of either is seldom in the day, but usually in the 

 night; and then the great trout feeds very boldly. 

 And now I shall tell you that which may be called 

 a secret : I have been a-fishiug with old Oliver Henly 

 (now with God), a noted fisher both for trout and 



