32 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



fisherman puts on more strain and stops it. There 

 follows a solemn and sulky circling round and 

 round in the depths, and once or twice a gleam of 

 silver is seen as the fish turns on its side. At last 

 it comes to the top and lies there beaten, looking 

 very big and imposing. The net is under it, and it 

 is landed in triumph. It is a handsome fish, with 

 big silver scales, shading into golden brown on the 

 back, red fins, and a big blunt head ; it might be 

 own brother to that chub or cheven which Master 

 Izaak's pupil was so happy to catch, and the spring 

 balance shows it to be 2jlb., that is to say, almost 

 a big one. A 3-pounder is a big chub in most 

 rivers, and a fish of ijlb. worth taking in many. 

 But the novice will have more to do with chub later ; 

 at present he is lucky to have begun so well, and 

 he may be justly proud of himself even if he does 

 no more to-day, as seems possible, for during the 

 next hour he gets never a bite, though he tries the 

 eddy on both sides of the stream with care and 

 patience. 



