WHEN LADIES FISH 183 



assistance is permissible. But here was a clear 

 field, and no need for favour. " I'm sure the 

 rod will break ! " said she. " Never mind if it 

 does ! " " Oh, but I shall lose the fish ! " she 

 exclaimed, only to be told that " those who 

 hook a trout must catch it or lose it." 



So the lady, proving an apt pupil, kept her 

 head and a tight line, with the rod well up, 

 letting the trout have a run when he insisted on 

 it, and reeling-in when possible. At last, after 

 many hopes and fears, the net was slipped under 

 a fish which, when weighed at the farmstead, 

 amidst the congratulations of the family to the 

 successful fisherwoman, turned the scales at one 

 pound three ounces. 



Perhaps 1 cannot close this chapter better than 

 by showing that ladies are able not only to catch 

 trout but also to write charmingly about the 

 sport. 1 venture to quote the following extract 

 from an article entitled " A Day on the Stour," 

 which appeared in the Fishing Gazette. It is 

 proof positive. 



" The hours passed, the shadows lengthened ; sheep 

 gathered round me as if attracted by some family likeness, 

 which rudeness on their part I was far too dejected to resent. 

 At last I knew it was time to return to the inn. I was 

 beaten, defeated. The glorious opportunity of being the first 

 woman who had ever caught a fish on these waters was for 

 ever gone. One more attempt I would make over the shiny 

 green stuff by the bank, and then 1 must go. Whir-r-r ! 

 away rushed my line, round and round Hew my reel. 1 

 nearly fell into the water at the suddenness of the occurrence, 

 but, as yards of my line disappeared rapidly, <o did my 



