126 TROUT-FISHING IN BROOKS 



to the rear), not to speak of its advantage when 

 freeing eels, if hooked. Should the latter mis- 

 fortune occur, the best thing to do is to put one's 

 foot promptly on the squirmer, and cut the back 

 of its neck deeply with a sharp scissors kept ready 

 for such an emergency. However, it is easy to 

 differentiate between the biting of eels and the 

 nobler quarry by the jag- jagging feel of the first. 



I once had an awkward experience while 

 engaged at a place of this sort. I had been brown- 

 trout fishing earlier, and somehow lost the handle 

 of my reel. Darkness had fallen when I reached 

 the 'pool, the only one of any size in the entire of 

 the little brook. The temptation to try for a sea- 

 trout was irresistible, though I was only provided 

 with fine gear. Before very long I hooked one, a 

 nice fish of 2 Ib. 2 oz., and the battle was des- 

 perate. It leaped out of water, plunged, and 

 tore line off the crippled winch in several furious 

 rushes, which I could only recover by manipulation 

 with thumb and forefinger, a most tedious process, 

 and I dared not bully it on account of my fine 

 refinucha gut. My relief was great when, after a 

 splendid fight, the fish lay beneath me, exhausted, 

 and I was able to use the net. 



Even at the best it is eerie sort of work. A 

 perfectly calm night is to be preferred, and out 



