WATERS OF YOUTH n 



trusted largely to Providence and the flowing water for 

 a sewage system ; but in effect I do not remember 

 these drawbacks. What I do remember is the ancient 

 willow leaning out over the stream, and the eddy below 

 it caused by the release of water narrowed by the 

 willow roots. There was a blissful day when I caught 

 four dozen roach out of that eddy and at the edge of 

 the stream. The fish came on to feed about mid-day, 

 and they would only take little red worms rather an 

 odd thing in summer. I was, of course, late for lunch 

 and duly reprimanded, but I had such a basket of 

 roach as no other boy took out of the stream those 

 holidays. That the fish scarcely averaged three ounces 

 apiece does not even now dim the glory of that 

 achievement. 



There were other triumphs connected with that mile 

 of water. Many small chub were captured there with 

 a red palmer. They always lay close under the 

 opposite bank, and the fly had to fall within an inch of 

 the clay or weeds. Sometimes a fish would rise imme- 

 diately like a trout, but more often it would follow the 

 fly for some distance, making quite a decent wave. 

 Then the tightening line would announce the time to 

 strike, and the half-pounder would be hooked and 

 played. Very fair sport he would give, too, for I used 

 to fish with a tiny greenheart rod, about eight feet six 

 inches long, whose weight must have satisfied the most 

 zealous light-rod man. It was the right rod for a boy, 

 and it was also the right rod for getting the greatest 

 amount of fun out of small chub. Three large chub are 

 prominent in early memories. The capture of one is 

 described on a later page. Another was a Wye fish, 



