132 



line. But if his tackle be not sound, all that can be said 

 on the subject will be of no avail. 



Many young anglers are in a hurry to see what is on 

 the hook 5 they cannot refrain from bringing the fish up 

 to the surface. This always has a bad effect j for it con- 

 vinces the poor deluded animal of what it before probably 

 only suspected, namely, that it is ensnared, and is to be 

 taken from its element. Hence it becomes unruly and 

 headstrong, and tries every effort ; not omitting to lash 

 at the line with its tail, and running in suddenly towards 

 the angler, so as to slacken the line, and to shake out 

 the hook ; or to rush into a hole in the bank, &c. ; all 

 of which are common practices with several kinds offish, 

 especially the chub and larh'l. But when the angler 

 allows the fish rather to ramble at his own pleasure, 

 within the circle described by his line, every purpose is 

 gradually effected ; for the fish is so exhausted before he 

 is brought near the surface, as to be incapable of further 

 resistance, and may be landed with perfect ease and 

 safety. 



Whatever may be the exertions of a fish, be careful to 

 keep your line sufficiently tight to give you a feeling of 

 all his motions. And even when (as is sometimes the 

 case under the most delicate management) he may spring 

 out of the water, do not slacken your line altogether ; 

 but be careful, so soon as you see him fall upon the sur- 

 face, to be prepared, and to give him the lead such way 

 as you may find most suited to your purpose. Be assured, 

 that a slack line is always bad, and gives the fish the op- 

 portunity, either of shaking the hook out, if it be not 

 very fast in, or of making a sudden exertion, such as 

 may be too rapid and too powerful for the strength of 



your 



