Fish and Fishing 



A trout first takes the fly, then makes the mo- 

 tion which the anglers term a rise, and which con- 

 sists of its turning to go down ; the angler, there- 

 fore, does not see the least break on the sur- 

 face until the trout has either seized or missed the 

 fly; so that he has already lost so much time, and 

 should strike at once. Though it is impossible to 

 strike too soon, it is quite possible to strike too 

 hard. Striking should be done by a slight but 



.,, . . .. .. quick motion of the wrist, not the 



Wrist Motion ^ , , , . ,, 



arm, and always m the same direc- 

 tion as the rod is moving at the time. The effect 

 will be more immediate at a moment of the utmost 

 importance. It often happens in quick striking 

 that the trout misses the fly; in that case it is 

 pretty certain it will rise again, or others will take 

 its place. If the hook has pricked it, that is the 

 end; at least for that day it never rises, but stays 

 below, even if the fly is changed. 



At the first heavy surge, if it is a large fish, make 

 no attempt to check the reel, but have full command 

 over it. At this moment I always place the butt of 

 the rod in my left hand and take charge of the reel 

 handle with my right hand, as I am able to reel 

 in quicker. Many anglers will differ from me in 

 this, preferring to hold the rod all the time in the 

 right hand, and to reel with the left; either way will 

 do. More strength is required to reel in than to 



.. . . „ . ., hold the rod. At all times keep the 

 Hold Rod Up , ^. ,, • .1 • J .u 



rod tip well up in the air and the 



line as taut as with safety can be. If the trout 



suddenly turns toward you, reel in as fast as 



202 



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