34 Dry-Fly Fishing. 



hooked ; in that case, unless very carefully handled, 

 he will, while lightly held on a taut line, probably 

 shake the hook free, or artfully rub it out against 

 weed stalks ; or, if the play be prolonged, it will 

 simply give way and the fish escape. One is afraid 

 to strike a second time. Given that the fisherman 

 is alone, his wisest course is at once to crouch low 

 down, or prone at the edge of the bank is still better, 

 and thus keep out of sight. Then gently draw the 

 fish (often while seemingly unconscious of being 

 hooked or of any danger) over the landing-net, 

 which should be held a few inches under water, and 

 then the chance comes to lift him out. Well-hooked 

 fish, if struck too hard, more especially if at that 

 same instant his first wild rush the contrary way 

 begins, are nearly always lost. So also will those 

 who leap out of water, it may be several times, 

 when they feel the hook prick or their liberty 

 restrained, unless the top of the rod be promptly 

 lowered and a temporarily slack line be given. As 

 an example of the way in which a hooked and 

 nearly played-out fish is too often lost at the last 

 moment by unskilful handling of the landing-net, 

 the following typical instance will suffice : An 

 inexpert attendant on an angler carries it extended 

 and ready for use, and from time to time, as the 

 quarry is brought near to the bank, prematurely 

 holds out the net at arm's length over the water, 



