FISHING. 53 



wader affecting only those portions of the water 

 that lie below him. The other advice conveyed 

 by the practice, never allow the bait \\hich is 

 carried down by the current to pass below you, 

 lift it always before coming in line with the 

 opposite bank of the river. In permitting- it to 

 descend farther you not only angle without much 

 hope of success, but you frighten more good trout 

 than you are aware of. A fish, for instance, has 

 just caught a glimpse of your bait as it travels 

 towards you ; he follows it, but by the time he 

 can give you any intimation of his approach it is 

 carried down either to your feet or to a short dis- 

 tance on either side of where you stand. Still he 

 pursues it, but being made aware of your presence 

 he becomes alarmed, darts off, and scares all the 

 fish in that place ; whereas, had you lifted your 

 worm in sufficient time you would have left him 

 above you on the look out, and readier than ever to 

 seize the bait when again thrown beyond him. 

 The first notice you get of a trout having taken 

 your lure is a stoppage of the line. This is the 

 moment for striking, as in clear water fishing the 

 greatest error that the angler can fall into is to 

 fe^l for the trout. Never do this, but on the 

 least tug at your lure or straightening of your 

 line strike. In performing the movement, do 

 so steadily, and with firmness, not by means of a 



