TROUT AND GRAYLING. 51 



spot, then he should throw (as nearly as he can 

 judge) a yard or two above it, and allow the flies 

 to float down to the supposed place of the fish ; 

 if a rise does not occur, it may be concluded 

 that the fish has removed without seeing them : 

 he may then try a yard or two on each side of 

 the place where the curl appeared, when he may 

 probably have a rise, and may possibly hook the 

 fish, provided he has the knack of striking, which 

 knack, like all others, is acquired only by prac- 

 tice ; it must be done by a very sudden but not 

 a very strong stroke, a twitch of the wrist. 

 Having hooked him, the rod should be carefully 

 retained in that position which will allow its 

 greatest pliability to be exerted. To do this, it 

 may be advisable to get it up over the shoulder, 

 and present the butt-end towards the fish. A 

 gentle pull must now be kept upon the fish, and 

 he should be led down the stream by all means, 

 making use of the reel as occasion may require 

 to shorten the line. But if he runs in towards 

 the bank upon which the fisherman stands, it 

 will be necessary to approach the edge of the 

 water as nearly as possible, holding the rod with 

 an outstretched arm in almost a horizontal po- 

 sition ; and if the reel is of the usual bad con- 

 struction, it will be also necessary to pull in the 

 line as quickly as possible with the left hand : 

 this may prevent the fish from reaching his 



