FIRST EMPTYING. 27 



To return to the art of bobbing. Get a stiff rod about 

 twelve feet long, with upright rings, and an easy-running reel. 

 Then have four or five feet of fine but strong drawn gut, 

 so fastened to the reel line that it will go through the rod 

 rings without any hitch. Your hook should be No. 3 fine 

 wire, and, having whipped it to the gut, affix a small leaden 

 bullet (the size of a fairly large pea) about twelve inches above 

 the hook ; then impale a living fly, and you are ready. In 

 brilliant, hot weather, seek out some overhanging tree, under 

 the shade of which your knowledge of the ways of fish tells 

 you all the good trout in the locality will seek shelter from 

 the sun. Approach cautiously, and, if necessary, creep out 

 as far as possible over the pool on a stiff branch of the tree, 

 set your teeth together, do not cough or sneeze, hold tight, 

 and begin. Wind your line up until it comes to the top ring of 

 the rod and leaves only twelve inches of line free (this should 

 be done before you begin the acrobatic part of the perform- 

 ance), and then poke your rod point through the leafy 

 branches, taking care that there is a clear course for the bullet 

 to fall to the river ; now let sufficient line off the reel to reach 

 the water, and the bullet will take the fly downwards until 

 the latter just touches the surface of the river. Of course 

 you must be cautious to check your line so as to prevent the 

 lead going into the pool with a splash that will frighten all 

 the fish in the neighbourhood. If you let your fly down as 

 you ought to, and there is a trout about, unless he instantly 

 cuts his lucky, he is yours. The woman or the trout that 

 deliberates is won or lost, whichever you prefer. When you 

 have hooked your fish hold tight to your perch, and, if you 

 do not tumble in and drown yourself, or, worse, break your 

 tackle, you may land your victim ; but how you are going to 

 do it, it were better you did not ask me, because, to tell the 

 truth and shame the thingummy, I do not know circum- 

 stances alter bobbing cases considerably, and this is one of the 

 mysteries known only to bobbers. Nevertheless, I assure 



