56 AN ANGLER'S LINES 



change was effective, a 1 2 inch grayling taking 

 the fly well under water, but so gently, that 

 only when the rod point was raised for a back- 

 ward cast, did he make his presence known. 

 The popularity of the March brown was short- 

 lived, and soon an Alexandra reigned in its 

 stead. 



Casting down a rough wind -torn stretch 

 of water, I saw the slight twitch of the line, 

 heard the sudden demand on the reel, and, as 

 the slender 7 oz. rod made obeisance, ex- 

 perienced that delightful and thrilling sensation, 

 the play of a good fish. I coaxed him half 

 way across the river, saw the yellowish un- 

 dersides .of a body that rolled over on the 

 surface, and then the rod straightened. It 

 was my one good fish, and the Alexandra had 

 come free ! 



Even now was my chastening not complete, 

 for on the morrow, my last day, came a wild 

 orgie of weather, and, from out of streaming 

 windows, I stood and watched the mad fury 

 of the blast and listened to the splash of ever- 

 falling rain. 



