NIGHT FISHING 97 



stream, otherwise he is liable to encounter 

 many pitfalls. In the first place, if the river 

 is wide and deep, and he is wading, which 

 he will have to do on most streams, there is 

 a danger of stepping into some dark pool. 

 With waterlogged waders, even the strongest 

 swimmer may be pulled down, the conse- 

 quences not being pleasant to contemplate. 

 This is the worst mishap that can overtake 

 him, the others being minor in comparison. 

 Trees and hedges bordering the water are apt 

 to catch the fly or flies when casting, and the 

 line may become tangled on the water with- 

 out warning, unless from time to time it is 

 drawn through the fingers. So, before setting 

 out for an all-night expedition, it is wise to 

 select your water and become familiar with 

 it by day. A single fly, too, is better than a 

 cast, for the less material you have to get 

 entangled, the more smoothly will your sport 

 proceed. A large fly and strong gut enable 

 you to deal summarily with a hooked fish. 

 The trout must be so dealt with too, for the 

 less you disturb the water the better. Hustle 

 your victim downstream willy-nilly to the 

 net or to hand, and get him into the basket 

 as soon as possible. When you can see to 

 use a net, a single fly also has the advantage 

 of not getting mixed up with the meshes like 



