54 AN ANGLER'S LINES. 



ripples, and close to some piles on the other 

 side it disappeared, leaving a momentary 

 circle to mark the place. Towards, and then 

 past me, the line cut quickly througlh the 

 water, to travel back once more as I judiciously 

 applied pressure. The grayling played deep, 

 and I carefully noted the position of the piles, 

 but, strangely enough, he made no attempt to 

 reach this possible salvation. In due course 

 I lowered the net, and the fish came towards 

 it with the gut cast coiled round his body, 

 then, with a movement, he unrolled himself and 

 made a furtive attempt to renew the struggle. 

 The hook still held, however, and his reception 

 into the net was safely accomplished. My 

 first takable fish, for he had the inches and 

 to spare, and I placed him tenderly, almost 

 lovingly, in my hitherto immaculate bag. 

 Just then a fish showed a few yards above me, 

 close in towards my bank. He rose to inspect 

 the fly, but, striking on a now water -logged 

 line, I put him down very effectually, for 

 neither iron blue, Wickham, nor red tag, 



