118 FAMILIAR FISH, THEIR HABITS AND CAPTURE 



likely place. A poor angler fishes rapidly, selecting 

 only the most promising holes, and passes over many 

 fish in the others. Never neglect a likely spot, no 

 matter if it delays, and all of the brook can not 

 be fished. Remember, the slow careful fisherman 

 secures the most fish. 



Exceeding great care must be taken in approach- 

 ing or fishing a stream, as the slightest jar of the 

 bank or motion of the body or rod will frighten the 

 fish. A trout usually lies heading up stream, and 

 the bait should be carefully lowered and allowed to 

 float by or under the obstruction as naturally as pos- 

 sible. The moment the fish bites which it always 

 does with a rush a quick twitch is given with the 

 wrist to set the hook, and without a pause the trout 

 pulled out upon the bank. Any hesitation allows 

 opportunity for the fish to dart behind a snag, fasten 

 the line, and usually work free. 



When the days get hot in summer, warming the 

 water, trout always ascend the streams nearer to their 

 cold spring sources, and hide as far back under the 

 banks as possible. Then it is especially difficult to 

 catch them. If one is fortunate enough to be upon 

 a stream when a heavy thunder shower comes up, 

 most excellent fishing will generally follow. Such a 

 shower precipitates large quantities of rain, which 

 flows into the brook as surface water, roiling it up 



