CHAPTER IX. 



LIVE BAIT FISHING FOR MAHSEER. 



" Tim* have I oleqrad the Held of my worst foe ! " 



Tiik Spanish Studbkt. Act II, Scene V 



All the previous chapters have treated of fishing for Masheer 

 in clear water, for, in the matter of fishing for them in discoloured 

 water, anglers of any Indian experience have hitherto been agreed 

 that it was simply useless. Whether from melting snows, or 

 from heavy rainfall or irrigation drainage, a flood or discolouration 

 in the river was considered an insuperable bar to all fishing. 

 There was nothing for it but to pack up one's tackle, and give it 

 up as a hopeless case. And thus there was the great objection 

 that Masheer fishing was confined to clear water, that a change 

 of weather might at any time make the fishing trip a complete 

 failure and disappointment. But anglers will rejoice to hear that 

 there is yet a way in which this worst difficulty may be overcome, 

 yet a way in which the mighty Masheer may be taken even in 

 the dirtiest water. We are indebted, and that not a little, to 

 Colonel J. Parsons for the discovery ; so I shall, with his permis- 

 sion, give it in his own words, as kindly communicated to me. 

 He writes, under date 8th July, 1878 : — 



" A friend has lent me your book ' Rod in India.' I observed 

 " that you invited hints on fishing. I am not aware whether you 

 " still seek them or not ; however, I think I may as well tell you 

 "of my way of fishing when the river becomes thick. It is not 

 "original, but merely an improvement of a native method I 

 "saw practised many years ago at the Jumna, in the hills 

 between Mussoorie and Simla, 



"I fish with live bait picketted, as it were, in the river; the 



bait may be any size up to £ lb. in weight (as Mahseer don't 



"doubt them — 'sardines' if they look large). A bullet is 



ured tn the line aboul 2£ feet from the live fish, to give him 



