54 THE DISGORGER 



in my opinion, is the best manner of administering the 

 coup de grace. Bigger fish may, as the angler chooses, be 

 knocked on the back part of the head, on the brain-pan, 

 and for this purpose a " priest " is carried. Now we 

 have to get the fly out of the tongue, ready for further 

 work. 



I open the file (for sharpening the points of flies, etc.) 

 contained in my knife, the end of the file being a dis- 

 gorger .having a lancet face on the lower side ; with 

 this I lance the tongue, and by a gentle pressure of this 

 disgorger on the belly of the hook, the gut being held 

 tight by the forefinger on the file, I instantly free the 

 hook without injuring the fly by any rough pressure 

 on the wings, etc. 



It is, however, more or less soiled by the slime from 

 the trout's mouth, so I cast it down-stream and pull it 

 through the water, once or twice, and thus wash it. A 

 few flicks overhead, and it is once more dry and fit for 

 work. 



We will now try the bank again on the further side. 

 There is still no rise, but a fish, and a good one, should 

 be there. Take the rod in your hand, keep as low as 

 you can, and try a cast. 



Don't be nervous. Imagine that you are casting 

 your fly into a plate which is close by that root on the 

 other side, and take plenty of time. It is not a matter 

 of life and death, and if you do make a bad cast and 

 frighten the fish, there are plenty more just above. 

 Steady ! You are forgetting your lessons in the ex- 

 citement of the moment ; you made your forward cast 



