THE RISE 63 



knowing, perhaps, that contact with the cur- 

 rent in that position will more readily relieve 

 them of their burdens. And, while I have no 

 certain knowledge that it is so, I am inclined to 

 believe that the setae or hair-like tail enables 

 them to assume and maintain this position. 

 At any rate, it should be the angler's ambition 

 to imitate this action, and present his counter- 

 feit with its tail or hook end coming down to 

 the fish. This gives the added advantage of 

 having the business end taken first and elimi- 

 nates the danger of disturbing the fish by hav- 

 ing the shadow of the leader thrown over him 

 in advance. To do it successfully calls for a 

 nicety of judgment in the handling of rod and 

 line; but when the skill is acquired its success- 

 ful execution has its own reward. 



The utmost caution should be used in ap- 

 proaching a feeding fish. The danger of put- 

 ting him down does not depend solely upon his 

 getting sight of the angler; he may also be 

 apprised of the angler's coming by the excited 

 darting up-stream of smaller fish which have 

 been below him. If the character of the water 

 to be fished indicates that other and smaller 

 fish may be hidden, or if their presence be dis- 

 closed by their feeding, it is much safer to cast 



