AND HOW I HAVE CAUGHT MY FISH 331 



this down in the wake of the smaller tasty morsels 

 which, no doubt, have opened the eyes and mouths 

 of the winter-hungry fish. 



Always remember that it is best to be fishing 

 one or two feet from the bottom and, that the 

 baited hook may be in advance, keep a slight check 

 on the float's run. 



So uniform has been my success with this bait 

 that a total failure with it stands out, as exceptions 

 to rules are apt to do. 



Here is a memory of one such failure : Seven 

 hours on one of the best chub rivers in England, 

 and in a portion most strictly preserved, patiently 

 fishing with the most deadly if properly manipu- 

 lated bait that can be offered, and not a fish. 



Eddies gentle and rapid, deep and shallow, and 

 not a fish. Six foot, steadily-flowing, straight runs, 

 under high banks and overhanging willows, and 



o o o 



still not a fish. 



Yet this day will stand out in bold and pleasing 

 relief when days of genial weather and great suc- 

 cesses shall have been forgotten. 



The wind blew, the blinding snow fell, the line 

 froze and the fish refused to bite, but my friend's 

 pluck and kind attention never failed ; move where 

 I would, be quick or slow, he was ever at my heels 

 with the bait-can of chopped brains and a piece of 

 ready-skinned pith ; yet not a fish. 



The next day there was a softer wind with an 

 occasional burst of sunshine. I was gillie then and 



