WET OR SUNK FLY-FISHING. 13 



to be raised again the instant he regains his native 

 element. The angler should always endeavour 

 to keep further down stream than his prey, other- 

 wise he will have to contend against the weight 

 of the trout plus that of the current. 



If a landing-net is carried and in rivers of 

 any size it will be found a great convenience 

 it should be used in water not less than a foot 

 deep : a trout, when stranded on a shallow, 

 struggles in a most dangerous fashion. The net 

 should further be kept well below the surface, so 

 as to avoid startling the fish, and to keep the 

 meshes clear of the flies. When no net is carried 

 the trout should be led gently into the side, at a 

 point, if possible, where the shore shelves gradu- 

 ally down to the water, and his snout brought 

 closely up to the channel or bank. This done, 

 he must next be lifted with the hand out of the 

 water, the line being on no account touched until 

 he is safe on the shore. 



CONCEALMENT. The main secret of success in 

 all fishing undoubtedly lies in keeping out of 

 sight of the trout. Casting up stream, as we have 

 seen, aids greatly in this ; but it is also necessary 

 to take care that the angler's shadow is not 

 allowed to fall on the water he is to fish ; to keep 

 off high banks as much as possible ; and to utilise 

 any natural shelter such as that afforded by 

 bushes or trees. It is also possible to keep out 



