164 PLAYING A FISH. 



and a companion to use it who understands the 

 business, the affair is simple enough ; but if you 

 are alone and without this much abused instru- 

 ment, it will be as well to prepare for the exercise 

 of considerable tact and skill. As the fish nears 

 the shore 



" Floating broad upon his breathless side, 

 And to his fate abandoned" 



do not attempt to haul him directly up the bank, 

 but stick the rod firmly in the ground, by means 

 of the spike, and in a direction slanting towards 

 the water taking the precaution of placing the 

 reel in such a manner that the line may run freely 

 from it should the fish make a sudden dash into 

 deep water. Keep a sharp eye upon your gasp- 

 ing victim a.s he floats upon the surface ; be steady 

 and cautious ; and if you hope to secure him do 

 not attempt to lift him by the line* an act of 

 egregious folly, which, to our knowledge, is not 

 unfrequently committed by those whose experi- 

 ence, if not common sense, ought to teach them 

 better. If, gentle pupil, you would rank as a 



* It must not be forgotten that we are speaking of a 

 large fish ; for in playing a small one this rule may be often 

 " more honoured in the breach than in the observance," 

 though everything like zjerk must in all cases be studiously 

 avoided. 



