148 HAULING 



other two directed outwards at an easy angle, while the 

 flies trail away in the current, and receive a lifelike 

 motion from the boat. A bight of each line is pulled 

 out from the reel, laid on the thwart, and kept in 

 position by a flat pebble. You have no further concern 

 with rods or flies ; all lies with the boatmen now, who 

 direct their course across the stream, and return again, 

 dropping a few feet lower in each transit. It is cold 

 work in wintry weather ; snarling winds lash you with 

 wisps of sleet or stinging thongs of rain; but the 

 deadliest work is often done in the least kindly 

 weather. If there are fish about, they are pretty sure 

 to be astir, and the excitement keeps the circulation 

 going. 



Far otherwise it often is in jocund May, when the 

 sun blazes bravely in the blue lift. Fish are apt to 

 turn sluggish then ; you may tack and tack again over 

 the likeliest lies, and it may be long before you get a 

 pull. Your eyes and thoughts wander to the enchanting 

 scene around. High on either hand tower well-clad 

 cliffs ; here ridge upon ridge of oaks, the fat buds just 

 bursting from the bronzy boughs; there groves of 

 lance-like larches, feathered with fringes of delicate, 

 exquisite verdure. Riverside lawns there are, too, 

 like that below venerable Stobhall, steeply sloping, 

 starred with myriad primroses, and shaded with great 

 sycamores. 



It is very hot now. It is only awe of your boatmen 

 that restrains you from exchanging your hard thwart 

 for an easier seat on the broad boat-bottom. Besides, 



