176 TROUT FISHING 



fastened at the end of a long line, but after quite a 

 respectable fight, considering the sixteen-foot rod 

 and salmon gut, I pulled in a big brown trout of at 

 least four pounds. Fortunately — it was in October 

 — he was lightly hooked and kicked himself off, 

 so the experience cannot have done him any harm. 

 Had I got him out I should have been tempted to 

 weigh him, and that might not have improved his 

 health so near the spawning time. 



