164 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 



hooked in a stream, a moderate heavy bend should be 

 immediately put upon the rod, the rodster keeping oppo- 

 site his prey whenever the bank admits of it, and where 

 this is impracticable line should be given and taken as 

 occasion requires, and circumstances dictate. When the 

 tackle is light and fine, and the quarry large, we com- 

 monly resort to this expedient, which seldom indeed 

 fails. We suddenly stay all show of opposition and head 

 the fish rather than otherwise a little in the direction he 

 makes for so desperately. In open water, where this is 

 more practicable, ninety-nine times out of a hundred he 

 becomes utterly confounded at the sudden change, and 

 will make a faint effort at a new departure in a side di- 

 rection and widely different angle, but quickly shows 

 broadside, and yields. This may appear incredible in 

 theory; we are, however, speaking from our own expe- 

 rience, and can vouch for its practical result. Whenever 

 a fish is safely hooked it is, as a rule, the fisher's own 

 fault if he be ultimately lost. Personally, we never 

 pass a feeding fish because of his locating in what is 

 usually deemed an " awkward spot." " What's the use 

 of trying for that fish?" queries a passing rods fcer. "It 

 would be impossible to land him were you to get hold." 



It has always been our policy to get hold first, as a 

 preliminary ceremony, which done, the landing question 

 is an after consideration. The notion of the main mass 

 of anglers would appear to be, that if an unusually cun- 

 ning fish takes up an impregnable looking position he is 

 to be religiously left unassailed. "Breakers ahead" 

 seem to be scented by the over-cautions pliers of the rod, 

 when the chances of conquest are really " as even " as in 

 less dangerous localities; and even supposing this were 

 not so, the greater the difficulty the more exciting the 

 sport, and the keener the pleasure. There is no necessity 

 for lugging out instanter a hooked fish. In these cir- 

 cumstances a short line and a sturdy pliant rod will avert 



