THE ENB OF THE SEASON. 119 



some very high willow bushes grew on the bank, and 

 in keeping pace with the fish it was a matter of con- 

 siderable difficulty to pass the line over them. 



It was a bit of a struggle, but the line kept clear 

 as higher and higher he ploughed his way right into 

 the rough broken water, until its force and the pressure 

 of the rod combined obliged him to drop back past the 

 willows again and seek rest in his favourite haunt. 



When a fish is out in strange water one can mind 

 him pretty well, but when he returns to his own run 

 it is time to look out for squalls, as he is pretty sure 

 to be bent on some mischief. 



In this instance we could tell by the movement of 

 the line that he was rubbing his jaws against a rock, 

 in the endeavour to get quit of the hook, so we took 

 hard hold of him, with the result that he again sought 

 the rough water, which we did not so much mind, as 

 by now we were getting quite accustomed to the willows. 



Three times he passed and repassed those bushes and 

 we were getting pretty sick of the job, when a new 

 device occurred to him, and oflf he rushed about 30 yds., 

 having in all not less than 50 yds. of line out, then rose 

 to the surface showing the entire length of his body 

 and lashed out with head and tail so continuously that 

 we fully expected something must part. 



It was a case of " Hold hard, good tackle ! " and fortu- 

 nately hold hard it did, in spite of his having fallen 

 right across the cast more than once ; and here we may 

 remark that when a fish shakes and jags in this manner 



