H2 The Anglers Secret 



net's part of the play ! I shall never for- 

 get that. The fish came alongside of the 

 boat in quiet order after two or three 

 spirited bouts; but just as the net was 

 placed under him he gave a swirl and 

 pulled the little rod's tip far under water 

 before I had time to loosen my fingers 

 from the line and rod handle. This giv- 

 ing slack line with a trout fly rod is not 

 so easy a movement as would be sup- 

 posed. One can give line very easily with 

 a bait rod ; the thumb has only to be 

 taken from the reel spool; but with a 

 little four-ounce fly rod, with the reel 

 under and below the handle and the 

 necessity of keeping a taut line by grasp- 

 ing both line and handle or by holding 

 the reel crank, it is pretty difficult, espe- 

 cially with a full three-pound fish hooked. 

 I boated my first blackfish of the day, 

 however, and I boated five others in quick 

 succession, while two other anglers in the 

 party did equally well. Flounders were 

 also caught, and some of them were im- 



