H2 AN OPEN CREEL 



distance, and an effort is made to swing a large lump 

 out ten. 



This is many yards too few now, for the carp have 

 gone away to mark their disapproval of the violent 

 proceedings on the bank ; but it is successful, and the 

 honey-paste settles safely on the bottom, a patch of 

 white against the yellow. Perhaps the fish will come 

 back again, though, and a dozen pellets of paste are 

 thrown out to entice them. A seat is taken on the 

 yellow bank, the rod is propped in a crevice, and 

 patience is invoked to aid in the waiting. Patience, 

 after a reasonable time, suggests lunch, which is eaten 

 with an eye on the specks of white. After lunch follows 

 a pipe, and still the specks of white remain undisturbed. 

 Now and again the appearance of a back fin or the tip 

 of a tail shows that the carp are satisfied with their 

 new position twenty-five yards out, and not one seems 

 disposed to return. An hour passes in waiting, and 

 from time to time throwing pellets, so that there is 

 a chain of them between the hook-bait and the fish. 

 A reasonable carp should easily find its way to 

 the big piece that gleams pre-eminent in size and 

 attractiveness. 



But all is vain, apparently, and at last patience goes 

 away again. With it wanders attention, and only 

 instinct remains on guard. Instinct it is that recalls 

 the eye to its duty. The line is tightening, and the 

 large lump of paste is invisible. The rod is picked up, 

 and immediately bends prettily to the run of a good 

 fish, and the light check on the winch makes cheering 

 music. But a carp of three pounds does not seriously 

 endanger the tackle, though it fights gamely enough 



