FISHING WHEN DARK. 75 



A word as to casting and fishing when daylight has 

 ceased and before the moon makes her appearance. In order 

 to keep your line clear in casting, bring the rod back a little 

 to the left of the vertical, and return it slightly to the right, 

 or vice versa. This should effectually prevent fouling, always 

 allowing plenty of time for the line to extend itself behind. 

 The line should, however, be drawn through the fingers every 

 few minutes, in order to make certain that it has not fouled. 

 When a strong breeze is blowing across your line, bring 

 your back cast to leeward, and return it to windward of the 

 vertical plane in which you are casting. 



Now as to the greatest difficulty of all, the changing or 

 replacing of trout flies on the cast after dark. This is a 

 difficulty which has on more than one occasion robbed me of 

 the charm of redeeming the ill-fortune of a poor day, when 

 the very audible but invisible activity of the trout tell me 

 of a long delayed and anxiously expected rise. 



In the dark, with no lantern and no one to help, 

 the chances of replacing a lost fly are infinitesimal. After 

 many trials I have succeeded in designing a small portable 

 electric light which effectually overcomes this difficulty. This 

 light can be suspended round the neck, lies flat on the breast, 

 and, at the wearer's will, sheds a bright and constant beam of 

 light full on the hands, etc., of the wearer. (See page xxvi.) 

 It is cheap, light, and has a two candle-power, lasting for 

 hours. It can be recharged by dry cells in less than two 

 minutes. This light is only wanted at rare intervals, and never 



