98 THE TROUT 



line exceed, especially for three or four links next to 

 the hook I say not exceed three or four hairs at 

 the most, though you may fish a little stronger above in 

 the upper part of your line ; but if you can attain to 

 angle with one hair, you shall have more rises, and 

 catch more fish./ This is sound and excellent advice. 



But very fine gut, where trout run large and a 

 sufficient quantity of weed is left in the water, is a 

 dangerous luxury. It is possible that an extra fish or 

 so may be risen and hooked by using such a cast, 

 but the angler will probably be broken more often 

 than if he had on a slightly stronger quality of gut. 

 So matters would thus about equalise themselves. 

 Naturally, the finer the casting line, especially if the 

 weather be bright and glary and the water low, the 

 less chance there is of scaring the fish. But a cast 

 which can, under ordinary circumstances, hold a fair- 

 sized trout is equally a necessity ; so, as in most 

 things, moderation in the matter of the thickness or 

 thinness of casting lines is to be advocated. They 

 are to be procured quite fine enough not to ' put 

 down ' your fish, and at the same time of sufficient 

 strength to hold an energetic and well- sized trout. 



That they should be thoroughly soaked before being 

 brought into active use is, as has been before said, 

 absolutely essential ; and it is wonderful what a strain 



