WAYS OF FRESH-WATER FISHES. 149 



This is why the rustic angler, an agricultural 

 labourer perhaps, will, with his primitive fishing- 

 gear, get a good basket of fish, to the great 

 astonishment of those less fortunate fishers who 

 may be using the latest of modern appliances. 

 The rustic knows the run and the lie of the water, 

 accurately to a yard. From his childhood he has 

 been familiar with it ; he knows, too, the favourite 

 foods of the fish as the seasons vary. He is well 

 aware, also, how necessary it is to hide himself by 

 all possible means from the sight of the fish : as he 

 says, " They eyes is mortal quick ; they sees you 

 lots o' times afore you gets a glint on 'em." His 

 knowledge of woodcraft gives him the knack of 

 moving quietly ; and what a valuable habit or gift 

 that of quiet action is, either in gentle or simple 

 folks ! The latter may not practise it at all times, 

 but they can when it is necessary. To see a great 

 fellow come through the tangle and lay himself down 

 by the brook for a side-cast up-stream, without so 

 much as startling the moor - hen that is feeding 

 near at hand, is an interesting and common enough 

 sight with us. 



If pike have come out of good waters they are 



