HOW AND WHERE TO CAST AFTER DARK. 183 



fish takes boldly, a rise may be seen, it generally happens 

 that the best rises, or rather those of the best fish, are 

 very unobtrusive affairs, and the notice given to the rod- 

 point is so slight that the angler may, if he fancies it is 

 the touch of a fish at all, set it down to some trumpery 

 three-ounce flibbertigibbet instead of that noble three- 

 pounder he gazed at for an hour off the bridge, with such 

 a desire for a nearer acquaintance. Fish, therefore, rather 

 across, and let the line go steadily down until it is extended, 

 striking at every touch, (rood large flies are usually re- 

 quired at night, though this is not always the case, if a 

 strong rise of some small insect be on ; but more often 

 than not, one of the moths or the alder, cinnamon, sedge, 

 or some good-sized fly, will be used ; and as the hook will 

 be a largish one, a firm stroke and a sharp course of treat- 

 ment are desirable, as the less ' bobbery ' made and the less 

 time wasted the better. Pop them into the basket ; and 

 though I advise no hurry, yet let no time be wasted. If 

 the angler has any doubt about the state of his flies, he 

 should never fish a moment in doubt, but run the cast 

 through his hand. A short cast is the best ; too long a 

 line is unmanageable and uncertain at night, and there is 

 no need for it, as the fish will, if you conduct yourself 

 quietly, rise close to you indeed, I have often, when 

 wading, seen them rise within a yard or so of my legs. 

 The fish which are most likely to take well are those which 

 get in close under the banks. They are old soldiers, and 

 pick a bellyful of insects almost off the long grass, scarcely 

 rising at all ; while the fish which rise in the midstream 

 and make such a pother are for the most part but middling 

 or little ones. Fish the banks, therefore, carefully ; for 

 even if you do not see or hear a rise anywhere, there is 

 always hope under the bank. At night, a fly drawn against 

 the stream will be taken almost as readily as one floating 

 down which of course is not the case by day. It is 



