ON THE FORDS OF TEME 113 



secret was that the angler watched his line with 

 the keenest vigilance. When there was the 

 slightest check or movement, he struck. Even 

 if a passing leaf (autumn leaves on the Teme are 

 numerous) came in contact with his flies as soon 

 as they reached the water, he struck. His argu- 

 ment was that if he waited for the point of his rod 

 to bend sharply, or to feel the fish at the fly, it was 

 too late for the strike. Results proved the wisdom 

 of his contention. I have more to say of him in 

 the next chapter, but here it may be said that he 

 landed his fish by an ingenious method. When 

 his trout or grayling was exhausted, he would 

 stick the butt of his rod into a metal-bound 

 leather socket attached to a belt ; he was thus 

 enabled to reel up, because the rod was now self- 

 supported, and when the fish was played out and 

 near enough for the purpose he would for the 

 moment trust the rod to hold the fish by itself, 

 detach his net, and so finish the affair. The 

 net was slung so that it could be easily detached. 

 Naturally if a friend was handy he would desire 

 to act as gillie. The Major (of this book) and I 

 both counted it an honour to serve in that 

 capacity to so good a fisherman and fellow. 



