STRIKING. 127 



jaws. This is the moment for striking, and it is dis- 

 tinguished more satisfactorily by the running away of 

 your line from the spot where the attack commenced, 

 towards the retreat of the fish. In performing the 

 movement, do so steadily and with firmness, not by 

 means of a jerk, which is apt either to snap the gut or 

 tear away the barb of the hook from the part entered. 

 Hold the rod well up, and always incline your pull 

 downwards, or as little as possible at variance with the 

 flow of the river. When a fish is hooked land it with- 

 out delay ; if a small one, it is not in many cases worth 

 the wader's while dragging it to shore; if large, or even 

 moderate sized, the safe rule is to do so, unless you 

 happen to be provided with the inconvenient conveni- 

 ence of a landing-net. Always keep the line tight. 

 Should you from distrust of your tackle be afraid of 

 overstressing it, the blame lies originally with yourself, 

 and you deserve to become the sufferer. 



I have in this somewhat lengthy chapter embraced, 

 methinks, most of the points connected with the sub- 

 ject it treats of, and endeavoured, to the best of my 

 ability, to set them forth in a plain and practical light. 



