136 FLY FISHING AND SPINNING 



The golden hours of a trout fisherman's experience will 

 be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 



It is during their first rise, i.e., during the period when 

 they first come on the feed on any day, that most trout 

 will probably be taken. You may miss this rise ! 



As the big fish rise most frequently in a slow and dignified 

 manner, their rise is generally of a less disturbing character 

 than that of a young, eager and voracious youngster. The 

 splash made by a big fish may be less, but the wave will 

 probably be bigger ; nevertheless to the unobservant or 

 inexperienced fisherman the difference is not easily discern- 

 ible. The musical, sucking noise of the big fish, when 

 feeding at night on surface food, is unmistakable. 



Do not press in fly casting. Use the least possible force 

 in order to achieve your best cast. 



If it be possible always keep a taut line after a fish is 

 hooked. 



Play your fish from the reel if possible. 



Keep your rod well up when playing the fish. 



A constant and delicate strain on the line secures a 

 lightly hooked trout, which otherwise would be lost. 



Always remember that in very weedy water it is better 

 to let a trout go up-stream into the tail of a bunch of weeds 

 than to pull him down-stream, and let him get sideways 

 into the thick of such a danger. A fish which may seem 

 hopelessly entangled in weeds and brushwood may with 

 patience and nerve be ultimately creeled.* 



When about to net or gaff your fish, use your reel as little 

 as possible. 



* See page 53, re Weeds and Handlining. 



