A Fishing Expedition 53 



rod was to get at and enlarge the loop in order that it 

 might be slipped over his tail, since the head was pro- 

 tected by the bough. It is a more delicate operation 

 to pass the wire up from behind ; it has to go farther 

 before the spot that allows a firm grip is reached, and 

 fish are well aware that natural objects such as twigs 

 float down with the current. Anything, therefore, 

 approaching from behind or rubbing upwards is sus- 

 picious. As this fish had just been startled, it would 

 r.ot do to let the wire touch him at all. 



After enlarging the loop I put the rod slowly 

 forth again, worked the wire up stream, slipped the 

 noose over his tail, and gently got it up to the balance 

 of the fish. Waiting a moment to get the elbow over 

 the end of the rod so as to have a good leverage, I 

 gave a sudden jerk upwards, and felt the weight 

 instantly. But the top of the rod struck the over- 

 hanging bough, and there was my fish, hung indeed, 

 but still in the water near the surface. Nor could I 

 throw it on the bank, because of the elder bushes. 

 So I shortened the rod, pulling it in towards me quickly 

 and dragging the jack through the water. The pliant 

 wire had cut into the scales and skin — he might have 

 been safely left suspended over the stream all day ; 

 but in the eagerness of the moment I was not satisfied 

 till I had him up on the mound 



