A DAY'S DRY FLY FISHING 27 



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. 



It will be advisable here to say a few words as to the 

 correct method of netting a fish. A fish should always be 

 regarded as lightly hooked, and the greatest caution should 

 be shown in playing him until he is safely inside your 

 landing net, the object being first to tire him, and then at 

 the critical moment, when he has exhausted himself, and 

 before he has time to recover, to draw him quietly into the 

 net. The fisherman should show himself as little as possible, 

 and keep the net down below the surface of the water 

 until the fish is well over it. 



I was lucky enough to be able to obtain some photographs 

 of a friend of mine when playing and landing a trout on one 

 of the delightful streams belonging to the Lake Vyrnwy 

 Hotel.* You will notice in Figs. 1 and 2, Plate II., that he 

 is standing on a large rock, and that he has hooked a fish. 

 Thinking he had tired his fish out, he attempted to land it 

 without drawing his rod sufficiently back over his shoulder, 

 and, although it will be seen that he has knelt down and 

 extended his net as far as possible, he has failed in drawing 

 the fish within its reach, and has only succeeded in frightening 

 it into another run for freedom. Luckily it was well hooked, 

 and my friend, by jumping from the big rock on to the 

 smaller one (see Figs. 3 and 4, Plate II.), and by altering his 

 method and bringing his rod back well over his shoulder, 

 has been able to draw the fish within easy reach and finally 

 succeeds in landing it. 



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 



* One of the most charming and delightful fishing resorts in the world. 



