THE TREATISE. 29 



straight at the fish, for, whatever position he 

 be in, this makes the best use of the elasticity 

 of the rod. 



The truth is that playing a fish is no longer 

 the art it was. A heavy fish on fine gut is 

 difficult with the best of modern reels; imagine 

 what it must have been without any. In those 

 days you really had to play your fish, and to 

 tire him out with hand and rod. Now he 

 largely plays himself, and yet he often breaks 

 us. 



The trout is in season from March to 

 Michaelmas, and whenever it or the grayling 

 are seen rising, they are to be fished for with 

 an artificial fly, suiting the fly to the month. 

 Elaborate baits are given for the trout and for 

 all other fish, but they are not our business. 

 They were largely copied by Walton, and many 

 are used to this day. The trout is a right 

 dainty fish, and also a right fervent biter. He 

 loves clean gravel and streams. 



Fly fishing for salmon was not unknown. 

 When a salmon rises he may be taken with a 

 fly as a trout or grayling; but, adds the author, 

 it is seldom seen. 



Directions are given where to fish. In a 

 pond, which is but a prison for fish and where 

 fish are hungry as prisoners, there is no need to 

 be particular, but choose a place of moderate 

 depth. In a river, the best place is where the 

 water is deep and the bottom clean, such as 

 gravel or clay, which is free from mud or weeds. 



