i yo ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



usually denotes a trout at dinner, and a Silver Grey 

 worked temptingly in front of the spot will 

 generally produce a swirl, if nothing more tangible. 

 A big head and shoulders seen for an instant in the 

 foam below a weir are also hopeful signs, and 

 should prelude a rise, possibly a capture. But in 

 this kind of fishing the novice must be prepared for 

 disappointments. The proportion of fish risen and 

 apparently missed is greater than seems just. I 

 say " apparently," because I do not think they are 

 really missed. The fly has, I believe, in such cases 

 been attractive enough to move the trout, but not to 

 take him. When he has really made up his mind 

 to -have it the chances are three to one in the 

 angler's favour, failing accidents, for the trout 

 makes no bones about it, and probably gets 

 hooked in the tongue. Now and again the fish gets 

 off after a fight, but not often if the rod is handled 

 discreetly. Anglers sometimes say that a trout has 

 been missed because the " strike" was not quick 

 enough ; this I do not believe. A big trout, if he 

 takes at all, takes well and practically hooks him- 

 self ; if he does not take, no effort on the angler's 

 part will mend matters. 



I have said that this is mostly down-stream 

 work, yet casting up stream is by no means 

 to be shunned as useless. It is toilsome, because 



