THE MAY-FLY 57 



and sails gaily down-stream. As it ap- 

 proaches the spot where the fish is feed- 

 ing there is a thrilling moment of sus- 

 pense, but this time it passes alongappar- 

 ently unnoticed. Another try is made. 

 Now it alights a little nearer the trout's 

 nose, and a trifle heavier than before ; 

 and no sooner has it touched the surface 

 than there is a deft tightening of the line, 

 the fly sinks, the rod yields, and the reel 

 whirrs out as the fish makes down- 

 stream. The fun has begun, and the 

 trout fights with the vigour of a lively 

 grilse. He is a heavy fish and a cunning, 

 and if there is a bunch of reeds, a tangle 

 of willow roots or a collection of driftage, 

 he will make for it ; and woe betide the 

 delicate cast that gets twisted round one 

 or other of these obstacles ! He flops 

 about the surface and dives into the 

 depths. He threatens to run aground 

 in the shallows, or makes a straight, 

 headlong rush to another part of the 



