242 TROUT FISHING 



But there are some troubles which one might 

 avoid by dwelhng on them a Httle and especially 

 those which are brought upon us by the actions 

 of others. Like all other fishermen I have some 

 store of memories which brings this lesson home. 

 There was, for instance, the bright, hot day on the 

 Kennet, when I had been able to do nothing at all. 

 Nothing in particular was rising, and my plan in 

 such a case of looking for fish in position and fishing 

 by sight (often good for a brace on a bad day) had 

 been brought to nought by the fact that the fish 

 saw me long before I could see them. By the after- 

 noon I was depressed and gloomy. 



Then came one of those gleams of fortune which 

 sometimes flash athwart the darkest hour. I saw 

 a rise, which was repeated, and then a fine big fish 

 cruising about in a quiet corner. It was a real 

 opportunity. My fly was taken boldly, and I 

 settled down to a long fight. I dared not bustle 

 the fish, because the gut was fine, and because just 

 below was a hatch, for which he might bolt if too 

 much agitated, so I played him gently, and, in 

 consequence, for a much longer time than would 

 have been the case ordinarily. But all went well, 

 and at last I dipped the net into the water and drew 

 the trout towards it. 



Then a voice behind me said, " Good-afternoon." 

 I jumped, and looked round, to find an amiable son 



