46 FLY FISHING AND SPINNING 



fly comes fluttering down on the twig on which it was 

 held.* 



A BIG FISH. 



Start again at the bottom of the run. Ah, I thought 

 so ! You are into a big one this time. Reel up ! reel up ! 

 Walk back, man ! Keep your point up and line taut, 

 or you will lose him. Keep him out of the dark corner 

 " an you love me." Steady ! drop your point if he leaves 

 the water as he goes up-stream again. There ! you have 

 him at last, after a splendid fight. Why, you have beaten 

 my fish. Let us see ! One pound nine ounces, and in every 

 respect a beauty. If you take my advice you will send 

 him up to London by this night's train to your taxidermist. 

 Your first big fish is always lemembered with the greatest 

 pleasure, and, if set up, is a trophy of which you will always 

 be proud. 



* For further particulars of this fly-retriever, see the final chapter of this book. 



