SEA-TROUT 125 



and drawn very slightly. They are, too, cast 

 across and directly downstream ; in short, the 

 whole place should be searched as with fly. When 

 the worm is swung out downstream, or, having 

 travelled down, is as far down as a short line will 

 permit, hold it quite steady for awhile, and then 

 move it up and back again a little, very gently, 

 ever in readiness for a bite. 



A sea-trout bite is peculiar, and may be de- 

 scribed as a ' solid,' firm, but not hard pull 

 downward, always followed by a gentle nibbling. 

 When this is felt give way to it with both rod and 

 line on the moment, pushing the rod-tip towards 

 the fish, and easing off a foot or so of slack, as 

 any sense of restraint might lead to the ejection 

 of the bait. Sea-trout take the worm in slowly, 

 and the angler would do well to count twelve, and 

 that at an equal, rather slow rate, before attempt- 

 ing to strike. If the bait happens to be upstream 

 or opposite when a bite occurs, the strike should 

 be made in the downstream direction, a firm, 

 fairly hard motion ; when taken downstream, no 

 strike should be made, but the rod promptly 

 tightened on the fish. 



A small lantern is almost indispensable for this 

 work, both to see that baits are all right and lively 

 as well as to bait by (the bright side can be turned 



