244 WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHILE FISHING 



point of the rod, for not a yard up nor down may 

 you move." 



I have now a splendid opportunity of showing 

 you a rod attempting the very task. 



It often occurs that, between the hooking of a 

 fish and his full realisation of being in danger, canny 

 things may be done. Having struck, slacken your 

 line, or rather hold on him as gently as with single 

 hair, and then the fish, while mouthing the bait, 

 will move gently here and there, and when he thus 

 comes near you hold him tight with point of rod 

 well down, that your line may help your rod. Give 

 no line ; prefer to let the point of the rod go down 

 until the whole strain is on the line, and then he 

 must turn in a circle or break, as he is quite unable 

 to dig his toes in, as it were, for a start. 



The first time that I hooked a fish while 

 standing between these rocks he was off at full 

 speed, and I had no choice, it being quite impos- 

 sible to do more than to try to skid my winch. I 

 could not even see, though I could guess, the 

 direction he took. My remaining line was lessen- 

 ing fast when I appealed to Mac for advice. I was 

 not to hold and break with the hope of saving 

 something, but to let him run if he must until all 

 the line was out, and then to quickly lower my rod 

 that the strain might come on the fastening knot at 

 the winch. It broke there as we expected, leaving 

 us the bare chance although the line was 100 

 yards long of ever discovering it again. 



