AND HOW TO SECURE A FISH. 43 



occasion may require to shorten the line. But if 

 he run in towards the bank upon which the fisher- 

 man stands, it will be necessary for him to ap- 

 proach the edge of the water as nearly as possible, 

 holding the rod with an outstretched arm in 

 almost an horizontal position ; and if the reel be 

 of the usual bad construction, it will be also 

 necessary to pull in the line as quickly as possible 

 with the left hand ; this may prevent the fish from 

 reaching his harbour : if it should not, he will 

 most likely twist the gut round roots, &c., and 

 break away. To kill him, the nose must be kept 

 up as much as possible ; and should he be very 

 importunate and resolute, he may be lent a little 

 more line now and then, but it must be promptly 

 retaken with tremendous interest, and got up as 

 short as possible. After various fruitless efforts 

 to escape, which exhaust his strength, the nose 

 may be got fairly out of the water, the fish towed 

 gently to the side, and the landing-net passed 

 under him. From the time of hooking the fish, 

 if a large one, to the time of landing, care must 

 be had that the line shall not be touched by the 

 hand, excepting under the just-mentioned cir- 

 cumstances : all should depend upon the pliability 

 of the rod. In case a landing-net should not be at 

 hand, the reel may be stopped from running back, 

 the rod stuck up in the ground by the spike, and, 

 both hands being disengaged, the fisherman may 



