66 THE FORESTS OF UPPER INDIA 



This is a white kind of minnow, which is very plentiful 

 in all ri\ers, and must be captured with a throw-net, or a 

 small trout-fly on a lo-foot rod. The natives are very 

 good at using the circular throw-net, which is whirled 

 in the air when cast, and covers then a circle of three or 

 four yards. It is weighted with lead all round, and sinks 

 rapidly to the bottom. When drawn in, the fish are found 

 taken in the side pockets, which enfold them as the net 

 closes up. This net cannot be conveniently used by 

 people who wear clothes. 



An ordinary salmon-rod is no use for big mahseer — at 

 least, not in my experience. There were some excellent 

 fishermen at Naini Tal, who used to fish all the best 

 rivers very successfully, and spend much of their leave 

 marching along the valleys of the Ram Ganga, Kosila, 

 and Dhauli, and other rivers. These men always used a 

 hill bamboo or ringal, 30 feet long, which springs from 

 the handle like a Castle Connell rod. A strong grooved 

 butt is lashed to the lower end, and a reel attached, 

 6 inches across, carrying 200 yards of strongest silk line. 

 Fixed rings are bound on the rod, through which the line 

 will run freely. Where there is plenty of room you can 

 cast the spinning bait, like a fly, right across the rapid 

 without danger of injuring it, the bamboo being so limber. 

 You drop it gently in the back eddy and spin it across 

 the stream. If there is a mahseer Ijang in the still water, 

 and you have skill enough to play the chilwa naturally, 

 he will follow it across the current and take it with a 

 rush. The larger the minnow the better chance of a big 

 fish going for it. When you feel him, just look out and 

 keep your finger clear of the line. Away he darts down 

 the stream, and out flies 200 yards of line before you can 

 stop him. Often you must run along the bank over 

 rocks and shingle, giving him the butt all the time, and 



