144 Dry -Fly Fishing. 



of course, pauses between ; but I was constantly at 

 work, and it was difficult, when at length a trout 

 was hooked, to prevent him rushing up stream, and 

 thus perhaps spoil any further chance of sport in 

 this promising place ; therefore, he was restrained 

 and made to turn back, I following and drawing 

 him over a shallow to land without using the net. 

 The next fish hooked weeded me, and held fast, so 

 that a break away was inevitable. Whether trout 

 hang on to weeds by their teeth, as some leading 

 dry-fly fishermen have lately surmised, I do not 

 know, but I think it likely, as certainly their teeth 

 in both jaws are fitted for the purpose, and those, 

 hook-like, on the palate, tongue, and fauces more so. 

 And, indeed, if the mouth were closed on strong 

 weeds, the hold would be very firm, and for once in 

 a way an angler outwitted. I am inclined to think 

 that if at his first rush a trout is given his headway, 

 even through a patch of weeds, he will not cling 

 on to them, for probably it is the too masterful 

 restraint put upon him that makes him hold fast. 

 I. have often seen a trout take a turn round and 

 round weed stalks when being played. 



Bearing the escape of this fish with becoming 

 equanimity, and to allow the commotion it caused 

 to subside, I sat on a prostrate tree, and while 

 consuming an alfresco luncheon suddenly noticed a 

 long way off down stream a large wavy disturbance. 



