Miscellaneous Suggestions. 343 



The landing-net for this fishing should be quite small, 

 of oval form, the bow eight or nine inches wide and a 

 foot long. The handle need not exceed six inches in 

 length, and should be provided with a leather tag con- 

 taining a button-hole, to be attached to a button secured 

 to the back of the coat just below the collar. This is the 

 most convenient way to dispose of a very inconvenient 

 necessity. Rattan makes as good a bow as anything. 



When a fish is struck, get him out of the water in 

 which he was caught as soon as possible, lest the others, 

 which were probably in his company, take alarm and 

 out of the current as well. Play him till quite exhausted, 

 then reel him in short, drop your wading - staff, and 

 reach behind and unbutton the net. Then throwing the 

 tip of the rod backward, slip the net under him quietly, 

 and lift him out. Next support your rod between your 

 body and the upper part of your right arm, take the net 

 in the right hand, and grasp the fish by the gills with 

 the left. Then tuck your net under your left arm, and 

 proceed to kill your fish. Never neglect this. It is most 

 cruel and unsportsmanlike to force them to writhe their 

 lives slowly away in the creel. This may be instantly 

 accomplished by striking the head once or twice upon 

 the butt of the rod ; or the thumb may be placed back 

 of the head, the forefinger hooked under the upper jaw, 

 and the head bent sharply over against the back. Death 

 is instantaneous. Then unhook the fish, replace the net, 

 retrieve your wading-staff, and try for another. 



In wading, keep out of the water all you can, and 

 never, if it be possible to avoid it, traverse a spot where 

 trout are likely to lie. Remember there may be some 

 other angler behind you, and do not spoil his sport be- 

 cause you may happen to have found none. It by no 



