122 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



a half, scaling between two and five pounds, as a red- 

 letter day in my fishing experiences. 



The best time to fish is from about half an hour after 

 sunrise up to about ten o'clock, and again from about 

 four o'clock until sunset. During the winter months, 

 when the water is cold, they do not take well, and again, 

 after the commencement of the rains, the discoloured 

 rivers bring down such quantities of food, and render 

 the capture of other finny prey so easy that it is pure 

 chance if they will even notice your bait. In south-east 

 Africa the best period probably is from the beginning of 

 August until the end of October ; but sport may be 

 obtained at any time during the hot weather, provided 

 the water is clear. 



However engrossed in his pursuit the angler may 

 become, he must not forget that he is fishing in a pool 

 which probably contains one or more crocodiles. The 

 fact of his not seeing any indications of them is no proof 

 that they are not present and eagerly watching him ; 

 so, whether in casting or in playing a fish, it is well to be 

 careful. Wading, even in shallow water, is sheer fool- 

 hardiness, and that a man may have done so on scores 

 of occasions with impunity does not alter the case in 

 the least. 



Tiger fish usually prefer to kill their own food, which 

 consists of practically everything else that they can 

 overpower, and they are in no sense scavengers or bottom 

 feeders. Meat, to be successful as a bait, should be 

 fresh, as it is the smell of blood which principally attracts 

 them. No doubt they also devour grubs and insects 

 brought down by the stream, but these are always in- 

 ferior as baits. Big tiger fish will often rise at swallows 

 skimming along the surface of the water. 



Perhaps following the law of nature which controls 



