168 FLY FISHING 



asserting himself, and to save his tackle by fol- 

 lowing the fish as much as he can, rather than 

 by letting out line, which may get drowned in 

 the current. But from the first he selects some 

 favourable piece of water below him, and en- 

 deavours to conduct the fish towards it. Often 

 enough, in spite of all he can do, the contest 

 drifts away from the desired place ; for the fish 

 may get there too soon and carry the angler 

 past it, in which case he must then select with 

 his eye some other place and make that the 

 object of his movements. The best place of all 

 for the last stage of the fight, when the angler 

 feels that the time has come to contend not only 

 for the safety of his tackle but for victory, is a 

 quiet back water with a shelving bank of gravel, 

 which is even, and free from very large stones. 

 Any smooth shallow place will do well enough, 

 but a back-water sometimes brings sudden con- 

 fusion and helplessness upon a tired fish. When 

 a fresh grilse or salmon has been landed on sea 

 trout tackle and a single-handed rod, the angler 

 must have made good use of his resources of 

 quickness, judgment, decision, patience and self- 

 control, and should feel that come what may 



