212 Fishing in Estuaries Chapt. xvir. 



" had happened, when it suddenly appeared to occur to him that he 



" was ' on,' and off he went for his run. It does not answer to check 

 " this, or any other fish, while he is running, even if there be danger 

 " ahead; try and let him have his run out, for these strong and 

 " heavy fish have a way of plunging violently when checked, which 

 " is fatal to tackle. As soon as the first run is over, reel up quickly 

 " till you are as close as you can get, and then start him for another 

 " cruise. Continue in this way till you can master him, without 

 " fear of a break. In mentioning these precautions I allude again to 

 " the fish of large size, the smaller ones are easier dealt with, but 

 " the large fish are so heavy, that caution is necessary in handling 

 " them, when they are inclined to plunge and be restive. 



" The best time for fishing for the Nair lisb is, as 1 have said, !"<>r 

 " daywork, during the monsoon, when the waters are thick. At 

 "other times, when the rivers and backwaters are clear, commence 

 " fishing well after sundown, and go on as far into the night as the 

 " fish are on the feed, for you will hear them feeding, and splashing, 

 " all about you. "When they have stopped doing so, it is not much 

 " use trying for them any more. 



" The break of a Bahmeen you never can mistake for that of a 

 " Nair fish : the former is a sharp and violent splash, the spray flies 

 " in every direction, and the Bahmeen nearly always shows himself; 

 " that of the Nair fish is a deep-sounding plunge, the sound of which 

 " a practised ear can recognise, even in the night, when you cannot 

 "see the break; there is not much spray, and the water subsides 

 " with a peculiar swirl. 



"I have here noted all that I know at present about the Nair 

 " fish, for, compared to the Bahmeen, he is, I may say, a new 

 "acquaintance of mine. 1 will only add that, for this tish also, a 

 "small grey mullet is the best bait that can be used. I have 

 " mentioned, also as a peculiarity of this tish, that he takes a bait 

 "rather slowly, and in a much quieter style, than the Bahmeen 

 "does. This is what 1 have observed, during a somewhat limited 

 "experience of the habits of the Nair fish, a period not extending 

 "over a full year. There are times, 1 believe, when the Nair fish 



"takes a bait greedily, and goes at it witli great eagerneSR 



" The ways of tish differ so much under various conditions — local 

 "and atmospheric — that it is impossible to find out all about 

 " them, or even to arrive at a correct knew ledge of a good many of 



