144 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



of the thing is gone when one can no longer see 

 the rise made by a fish at one's fly. Of this short 

 available time, therefore, one has to make the most, 

 and it is well to be in the right place at its- 

 beginning. The novice should select a sedge- 

 fringed piece of bank, where the water flows, 

 quietly and fairly deep, and where the riveris running 

 as nearly as possible from the north-west ; also he 

 should make sure that no large trees shut out the 

 western glow from the water. Given such a 

 stretch, he will find as he stands and looks up- 

 stream that he gazes along a path of light in which 

 he can readily detect even a quiet rise. How 

 valuable this is to the honest angler, he will the 

 better realise if presently he turns and looks down 

 stream. There all is cold, murky, and desolate,, 

 while to detect a rise would task the vision of a 

 miner. Above there is still enough light for 

 ordinary eyes, and will be for some time ; it remains 

 to make the best use of it. There is no need for 

 fine points now ; indeed, gossamer gut would be 

 suicidal. A fish hooked with the sedge has to be 

 held hard and played with determination, for the 

 dusk conceals all dangers that would be apparent 

 in daylight, and one can only guess at their exis- 

 tence. Also, as I have hinted, one may hook a 

 monster whose loss would be a grave misfortune. 



