60 SPRING ANGLING 



fish retire to the deeper water, wherever they can 

 find it, for the winter, and emerge in spring to 

 seek food and to increase their muscular strength 

 by engaging with the swifter currents of the run- 

 let. Ah, here we arrive at a piece of thick alder 

 swamp which almost hides the brook. Shall you 

 fish it ? Why, certainly. It may be almost im- 

 possible to reach every likely looking spot, but 

 you must by no means pass this by. Right down 

 between these branches lies a trout for sure. 

 Take your rod, patiently shorten the line by wind- 

 ing in till only a yard remains free from the tip ; 

 now roll the rod round, and so wind up the line on 

 the tip till you can pass it and the baited hook 

 through the matted branches. Now carefully turn 

 your rod the reverse way ; that is, unwind the 

 line on the tip, and, being very expectant, drop 

 it gently near that cavernous root. Ha, another ! 

 doft't give any line at all. He is the best fish of all ; 

 simply hold your rod point up, and let him kick. 

 Your tackle will stand it. Now draw him through 

 as you best can ; and to do it you must, I fear, spoil 

 your chances of another fish, because of your eager 

 trampling to get your half-pound trout. Well, 

 there is always, even with old anglers, a first day's 



