ioo ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



one which would be easier if one had three hands. 

 Being blessed with only two, one has to make the 

 best of them. The rod-butt and reel can be dis- 

 posed of by being stuck into the top of the right 

 wader, or by being rested on the crook of the 

 elbow, while the landing-net shaft can be held by 

 being pressed between the left arm and the side. 

 This leaves both hands reasonably free, the left to 

 hold the fish and the right to take out the hook and 

 administer the coup de grace. So far as is possible, 

 both these things should be done inside the net, 

 or at any rate over it, so that if the fish gives an 

 unexpected kick it will fall back into the net, and 

 not into the water. I know nothing more exasper- 

 ating than losing a good fish by its slipping 

 literally through one's fingers. If the novice feels any 

 doubt about the operation he would do well to retreat 

 to the shore, always the safer plan, but one which 

 consumes time and disturbs water. I regulate 

 my procedure by the size of the trout and the ease 

 of attaining the shore. A half-pounder is worth 

 the trouble of landing properly. Killing fish has 

 been dealt with before, but the "priest" recom- 

 mended for coarse fish is rather a burden when 

 wading a trout-stream, and I generally use the ring 

 end of my spring balance instead. Theoretically it 

 should not be good for the spring balance, but in 



