97 



We shall conclude this chapter, by giving 

 two or three extracts taken from standard 

 authorities. They refer chiefly to playing and 

 landing a fish. 



Mr. Ronalds recommends, that "having 

 hooked a fish, the rod should be carefully retain- 

 ed in that position which will allow its greatest 

 pliability to be exerted. For beginners to do 

 this, it may be advisable that they should get it 

 up over the shoulder, and present the but-end 

 towards the fish. A gentle pull must now be 

 kept upon the fish, and he should be led down 

 the stream rather than up, making use of the 

 reel as occasion may require, to shorten the 

 line. But if he runs in towards the bank upon 

 which the fisherman stands, it will be necessary 

 for him to approach the edge of the water as 

 nearly as possible, holding the rod with an out- 

 stretched arm in almost an horizontal position; 

 and if the reel is of the usual bad construction, 

 it will be also necessary to pull in the line as 

 quickly as possible with the left hand, this may 

 prevent the fish from reaching his harbour ; if 

 it should not, he will most likely twist the 

 gut round roots, &c., and break away. To kill 

 him, the nose must be kept up as much as pos- 

 sible ; should he be very importunate and reso- 

 lute, he may be lent a little more line now and 

 then, but it must be promptly retaken with tre- 



