SEA TROUT FISHING 167 



of three or four pounds in a river on a 

 single-handed rod and fine tackle to anything 

 else. 



For this sort of fishing in a small river, I like 

 to use a single-handed rod, but one that is very 

 strong. One not only has more sport with the 

 fish hooked on a rod like this, but one fishes 

 more delicately, and can use finer gut than is 

 safe with a double-handed rod ; and finer gut 

 makes a considerable difference in the number 

 of fish hooked, except when the water is very 

 much coloured. With a small rod an angler, 

 who has nerve and patience, will land even 

 salmon successfully on a casting line tapered to 

 end with the finest undrawn gut, provided 

 always that the water is free from obstructions, 

 such as tree roots and weeds, and that the 

 angler can follow the fish either along the 

 bank or by wading. 



Every now and then comes the great event 

 of hooking a grilse or salmon on a sea trout rod 

 and fine tackle, and then there is a long and most 

 interesting contest, to which the angler addresses 

 himself with every nerve strung by excitement. 

 At first his business is to be very modest in 



