82 TROUT-FISHING IN BROOKS 



mouth kept over the surface. This, of course, 

 after the usual give-and-take play. 



I have already touched on mills and their leats, 

 which require no further mention. 



If a good trout is hooked in an awkward spot 

 where the net cannot be used from the bank, and 

 lifting would be too risky, play it as hard as you 

 dare, and when it is quite exhausted lay the rod 

 down, get into the water somehow, above the 

 place, and carefully and slowly draw it within 

 reach by the line, ready to let go if the trout 

 shows any more fight. 



A trout will sometimes dart out from under a 

 bank, seize the bait and race back to its holt to 

 pouch it. Ease off with both rod and line 

 instantly, and strike in the time mentioned. 

 Placing the bait exactly where you wish it to 

 drop, perhaps within an inch of a briar, is only to 

 be managed by practice. 



In this fishing it is of the last importance to 

 preserve an absolutely motionless attitude ex- 

 cepting only the action of casting, and, when 

 necessary, manipulating slack line, and the more 

 quietly this is done the better. 



Where there are arcades i.e., foliage meeting 

 overhead above otherwise fishable water, the 

 angler can try wading upstream very gently, 



