4 2 



fish. I went a few yards below, and threw slightly up- 

 stream. The fly first struck the tuft of grass, and 

 rebounded on the water, the fish seizing it instantly. I 

 mounted my rod, keeping his head well up to avoid the 

 weeds, and led him down stream to some open water free 

 from weeds, where I tired him out and landed him 

 myself ; and sure enough the man's hook was in his 

 tongue, with the cast attached. I gave him the priest 

 (which I always kill my fish with before attempting to take 

 a fly out), and, taking the hook out, I said to the man : 

 " Here's your cast ; did I not tell you I would give it you." 

 I shall never forget how simple and astonished he looked ; 

 he could scarcely believe his own eyes as he thanked me. 

 This trout weighed over two-and-a-half pounds. I then 

 left my friend and wandered farther down stream towards 

 Witney, passing some very heavy trout water. I met with 

 a shoemaker who was jack fishing, of whom I enquired 

 if there was any trout in that reach of water ? He 

 replied, " No ; there's nothing here but coarse fish and 

 pike ?" I said, " What is that rising by the willow tree 

 growing in the water ?" He said, " Only a large chub, sir." 

 I said, " let him be what he may, I will try and present a 

 fly to him." It was some time before I could do so, 

 losing two or three flies in the willow by having to cast 

 through a small opening in its branches. I succeeded at 

 last, and the moment the fly touched the water the fish 

 took it ; and when I mounted my rod he rushed down 

 stream, clearing everything before him, trying hard several 

 times to get back again, but I would not allow him. The 

 shoemaker said, " He is only a big chub, sir," to which I 



