WHERE AND WHEN TO FISH 127 



carelessness with which the average angler over- 

 looks this important part of the pool that is re- 

 sponsible for the many failures registered on 

 what should be productive water. 



It frequently happens, particularly when the 

 water is low and bright and has not been re- 

 cently disturbed, that trout are lying a few 

 yards above the lip of the pool in the quiet 

 water. The presence of the fish is disclosed by 

 the wake made by him in his rush for a fly that 

 has been presented somewhere near him. The 

 direction the fish is taking is easily discernible, 

 and, if he is headed down-stream which is 

 often the case the situation is one that requires 

 the gentlest possible handling. The angler 

 should remain motionless, leaving his fly upon 

 the water even at the risk of having the line 

 become entangled about his feet, because the 

 fish, being headed in the angler's direction, will 

 be quick to detect any motion; and the rod 

 should not be moved under any consideration. 

 The fish, after having composed himself, will 

 be headed up-stream again and, if not actually 

 seen by the angler, may be assumed to be where 

 the wake ended. 



It is quite usual for a fish, after having made 

 a rush toward the fly, to abandon the chase 



