40 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



tackle is ; it requires a considerable effort to break 

 the gut, but at last the hook-link, being finer than 

 the cast, gives, and repairs have once more to be 

 effected. The knowledge how much strain he may 

 dare to put on his gut is cheaply gained at the 

 price of a hook. 



While the new hook is soaking the mill stops 

 working suddenly, and in a few minutes the aspect 

 of the pool is changed. A gentle stream still flows 

 down its centre, but the turmoil and eddies have 

 given place to a smooth expanse of glassy water. 

 Also the depth has dropped quite 6in., and stones 

 and gravel appear at the shallow side where 

 formerly there was water. The novice will do 

 well to lower his float to that extent for fear of 

 another entanglement. He can now fish in the 

 stream, where most of the fish are likely to be 

 feeding, holding his float back as he did before in 

 the eddy. Presently there is a sharp tug, and a fish 

 practically hooks itself. Though not a big one, it 

 is a brisk fighter, and there are constant gleams of 

 silver as it struggles in mid-water. In the net it 

 proves to be rather like the small chub which was 

 caught a while back; but its head is smaller, its 

 back is not so thick, its fins are not red. It is that 

 more graceful fish the dace, and, weighing 6oz., is a 

 fair specimen. Half-pound dace are good ones, 



