AND HOW I HAVE CAUGHT MY FISH 255 



season's opening. He told me "the fish was only 

 trying to drown the minnow." However, the fish 

 gave him so much fun that he had not the heart to 

 put him back and have a try for his other end. 



When the hungry fish moves, his flash will 

 instantly develop into shape and wide-open mouth 

 that closes on the lure, and then, with another flash 

 of his silvery side, he will disappear again into the 

 depths. 



Then there are the coy, shy, undecided fish, 

 which deserve consideration, as you may readily 

 learn while watching from this spot. The hungry 

 you may take by storm, but the others must be 

 laid siege to. 



To the shy we will offer all we have, and refuse 

 to take their "no," preferring to persevere even to 

 obstinacy, knowing full well that the most coy will 

 at some time be willing, and that the undecided 

 may be shown something that will determine their 

 fate. 



I have proved to my own satisfaction, more 

 than once, that while a fish may have repeatedly 

 refused a particular bait spun over him in the 

 recognised orthodox manner by the best of fishers, 

 he has fallen an easy prey to the same bait cutting 

 capers at the instance of some novice. An amusing 

 example of this I give in the next chapter. 



Experience teaches that in fishing, as in other 

 matters, the utmost should be made of our oppor- 

 tunities. To do so, we must first endeavour to 



