204 Fishing in Estuai Ciiapt. xvir. 



Trout, Salmon, and Mahseer ordinarily do behind rocks (see page 88). 



However, the fishing rule here given is equally supported by either 



theory. 



" In nearly all of the bridges I have mentioned in these notes, 

 you will find projecting planks outside of the hand-rail, or balus- 

 trade, on both sides of the bridge. Climb over the railing and get 

 on one of these planks, and spin away wherever you see the fish 

 breaking. This is the best way of all to fish from these bridges, 

 as you have full command of the water, and of your fish when you 

 strike him. 



" If the Bahmeen are feeding you will not be long without a run, 

 and should the fish run away from the bridge, into clear water, 

 get to the nearest end of the bridge as soon as you can, leave 

 it, and run up the bank as far as possible, so as to prevent 

 the fish from running through the bridge, or among the piles. 

 Having got into a safe place, play and land your fish as you 

 best can. 



" It is a good plan to have a canoe with a man or two with it. 

 moored mi the most convenient side of the river, and on striking 

 a fish, should he run through the bridge below your feet, run 

 down to the bank letting out line all the time, get into the canoe, 

 follow, and either play him from the canoe, or from the hank 

 below. This is the reason why I recommend a long line, it enables 

 you to do all this. If you are steady, and do not get flurried, and 

 your tackle is as strong as it ought to be, even if the fish should 

 run through the bridge, below you, you can often, with careful 

 management, work him back again gradually to your side, ami send 

 a man down to the nearest pier to gat)' him ; this only holds good 

 with a masonry bridge. Should a fish behave in this manner at a 

 bridge built on piles, a canoe is the only thing to get you out of 

 your difficulty, and even then you may loose your fish and tackle 

 by bis running three or fourtimes round a pile, as they are some- 

 times fond of doing. 



" You may, if lucky, find a place frequented by Bahmeen, where 

 you can spin for them from the bank, in which case proceed in 

 exactly the same way, as if you were spinning for Bike. There 

 is such a place, about live or six miles from Cannanore, in the 

 Billipatam backwater, and just at the end of the village on your 

 right, as you face the water; the tide at the place I mean makes 



