FLY FISHING FOR TKOUT AND GRAYLING. 163 



upwards and opposite. The extent of the momentum 

 ranges according to the pliability of the rod. 



PLAYING A FISH comes next in order. The instant a 

 fish is hooked the rod should be mounted at a proper 

 angle, so as to feel the fish. The tactics to be employed 

 vary in accordance with the lay of the water, as also with 

 the conduct of the fish hooked, as when he descends im- 

 mediately upon being struck, pulling heavily in the deep 

 water, fighting hard for bis hold, or neighboring shelter, 

 it may be certainly inferred that he is safely hooked ; but 

 when he exhibits a tendency to fight it out near the sur- 

 face, occasionally attempting to clear the water altogether, 

 he is, as a general rule, but lightly hooked, and if not 

 carefully handled, will to a certainty be lost. The proper 

 method of playing a fish in open water that is clear from 

 weeds, sticks, etc., is to give him plenty of line, and play 

 him until he is completely exhausted, cautiously keeping 

 the rod on a regular bend; but in rapid and turbulent 

 rivers playing a fish is certain to end, not only in the loss 

 of the fish, but also of a portion of your tackle. 



There are scarcely any rivers free from portions of trees 

 lying concealed in the deep waters, the small holes being 

 well stocked with branches. In the shallow waters there 

 are plenty of piles placed regularly a few yards apart, 

 which are generally laid to prevent depredations by nets, 

 and are seldom unfurnished with branches of trees, etc. 

 When a fish is surprised by being hooked, his first move- 

 ment is to dart upon the most convenient stick or pile, 

 and with the rapidity of thought, entwine your tackle 

 two or three times round it; then he makes good his 

 escape. If he darts into a bed of weeds he stays there, 

 and the line is hopelessly entwined, and you are left to 

 liberate it as you may. Notwithstanding these obstruc- 

 tions, the experienced fly-fisher seldom loses a single fish 

 in the course of a day or two's fishing, though the gut 

 tackle he uses is as fine as possible. When a fish is 



