216 BY HOOK AND BT CBOOE. 



a foot or so, rendering it unfisliable for a couple of days ; 

 and not before it was wanted. 



As soon as the water was in order, it was apparent 

 that the fresh had brought up a great number of new 

 fish, and the next day we were fortunate in killing one 

 of 8 lb., but, as it was on treble gut, we made short 

 work of him. We were casting the minnow, while 

 standing three feet or so above water-level, and could 

 plainly see the fish follow it round out of the deep water 

 and ultimately seize it almost at our feet. 



Under such circumstances one is apt to commit one 

 of two errors, in either raising the rod too soon, or in 

 slackening the pace of the bait — instead of which per- 

 haps the best plan is to slightly accelerate its move- 

 ments, and so make the fish anxious not to allow of its 

 escape ; but in any case the body or arms must not be 

 moved. 



At this moment the sun came out very strong, so we 

 took up the trout- rod, and in about two hours bagged 

 1^ dozen, weighing 8 lb., chiefly with the March brown 

 and dark blea, and in addition lost fully half a dozen, by 

 reason of the March brown's hook having lost its barb 

 and we had none other to replace it. 



Later on we reverted to the salmon-rod, but as, for 

 some reason best known to themselves, the fish would 

 pay no heed to the fly, we took up the minnow-rod 

 and cast into a swirl caused by a bed of rock lying in 

 mid-stream, which usually held a fish or two. In re- 

 sponse to the very first cast, out sailed a big fish from 

 the gloom, leisurely approached the minnow and quietly 



