124 A YEAR OF SPORT AND NATURAL HISTORY. 



divides into two narrow channels, a yard or so in width. There 

 are still, small, deep holes and strong runs in abundance. They 

 hold Trout, but are less likely places in the spring than in the 

 autumn. Then the fish run up as far as they can for the purpose 

 of spawning, and before the season ends the best fish, and those 

 in best condition, are often to be found there. 



But now we must be thinking of getting home. We have still 

 several hours in which to fish, and we can still hope for sport, 

 fishing with a longer line, down the places that were fished up in 

 the morning. It is no easy matter to cast with a line twice the 

 length of your rod, but it is essential to success that the cast fall 

 lightly and accurately. When the stream is very narrow, a single 

 fly will be found best. It is an unpleasant, and yet a not unfrequent 

 experience, to catch a fish on the tail-fly and the bank on the 

 dropper. 



As the stream widens, we add our second fly. Just in front 

 the beck runs in a straight and comparatively wide course. 

 But there to one side lies a big stone, and the water behind 

 looks a foot or two in depth. Standing ten or twelve yards 

 off, we drop our flies over the stone. As they touch the 

 water a flash ! The line tightens to a " sweet resistance," 

 and we are in a Trout of three-quarters of a pound or, as 

 hope tells us, a good pound weight. He rests an instant in 

 meditation ; then follows the struggle. Keeping the rod bent all 

 the time, we let him run. In four or five minutes he will be 

 getting tired. And now, gently steering him out of the current 

 to the calm shallows at the side, we slip the net, if we have one, 

 under his tail, as he turns. He is our best fish, and adds a 

 pleasing weight to our fast filling basket. 



