44 THE ART OF FISHING. 



be too large to pull out on a sudden, use your 

 landing net, as previously directed, and do not 

 gradually draw him up the bank, with his weight 

 telling on the hook in his entrails. In every in- 

 stance kill your fish when taken.* 



The above directions may apply to all fish 

 taken with the angle, in the common way of 

 angling. They are merciful directions, and, if 

 strictly followed, would save from pain and suffer- 

 ing the poor writhing worm, "humble, silent, 

 "innocent, overlooked, oppressed, and trodden 

 "under foot," and likewise many a struggle of 

 the captured fish. Far from blunting our feelings 

 when we commence a day's angling, we should 

 call them up in full force, and study through the 

 whole of our pastime to exercise the tenderest 

 mercy that circumstances will permit; and this, 

 as we have hinted, is the true way to enjoy our 

 sport. 



As to night-lines, ledger baits, left for several 

 hours in succession, and eel gores jagged to hold 

 the struggling prey, we discard all these methods 

 of catching fish, as not only heartless and cruel, 

 but partaking very largely of the nature of poaching. 

 They hold no place in this work, or countenance. 



* The repetition " to kill your fish immediately on being 

 " taken " must not offend the critical observer, for in fact it is 

 the chorus of this little work. 



