USING THE ROD 



65 



tail ; but it must be evident that if the trout, as in 

 Plate XL, is likely to throw a somersault so as to 

 bring its tail down between its head and the fisherman, 

 this somersault will be all the more easily executed if 

 the line is slackened. 



By this time the fly is dry, and we will just touch 

 it with a little oil. We must go up-stream a bit, as 

 our big fight has put down the fish here for a time. 

 There, you saw the rise. A feeding fish just ahead and 

 close in to our bank ! Get well down to the water and 

 use a shorter line, and you should get him. That's 

 low enough. Remember the grass and bushes behind 

 you; make certain to throw well above the fish, and 

 don't lift your fly too soon in your next cast ; let it 

 float well down behind the fish before you make your 

 back cast. Yes, that's right : you threw your fly well. 

 Drop your left hand on the reel ; don't take your eye 

 off the fly, but reel up, and raise your rod gently as 

 the fly comes back towards you. Now the fly has 

 passed the spot where the trout rose, and as your 

 rod is nearly vertical, stop winding and take hold 

 of the line above the reel and gather in a little ; 

 straighten your line, make the back cast, and try 

 again. Never take your eye off the fly. Strike ! 

 You have him ! Reel up and bring him down, and 

 keep him well away from the bank at your feet ; 

 don't let him come in under you if you can help it. 

 He's a small fish, but plucky. Well done ! Here's 

 the landing-net ; you must net him yourself. No, 

 your line is too long to do so yet ; reel up a little more 



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