182 LONDON ANGLER'S BOOK, 



A small, fine, half round file, to sharpen the point of 

 your hook, will be found very handy. 



When you have success, take proper care of your fish, 

 by placing them cleanly in the basket, first laying some 

 of the tall, flat rushes, which are to be met with on the 

 banks of most waters, at the bottom, and occasionally 

 between the fish, this will keep them fresh and cool ; if 

 the weather is warm, put your basket in the shade, 

 covering it with herbage that may be convenient. 



In fly fishing I always use an old silk handkerchief, 

 dipped in the river, and rolled round the fish, frequently 

 in the course of the day, wetting it anew ; this plan will 

 answer for Jack fishing. 



Avoid the slovenly manner of packing your fish, prac- 

 tised by some, that is, putting them in short, withered 

 grass, all over dirt, and never more looking at them till 

 they are bundled out of the basket, in a manner equally 

 slovenly and careless. 



If, in fly fishing, your hook should fasten to the 

 opposite side, or you should be foiled in any other way, 

 be patient, take time to consider the best plan to get 

 released, go round if possible, perhaps you may ford the 

 river ; at all events take into consideration the circum- 

 stances of your embarrassment, a little time spent in 

 thought how to get over your difficulty, will more than 

 half accomplish it, and save hours which would be requi- 

 red to repair the damage done by your impatience and 

 violence. 



In Trout fishing, especially with a fly, when you have 

 hooked a good fish, he will often bounce out of the water 

 two or three times, and if you are fishing over a bed of 

 weeds, will work himself into them unless you are very 

 careful. To avoid this, you must hold moderately tight 



