46 



track in which he is then guided on the surface of tic 

 water. 



The fore part of the fish being thus entered, the net 

 is briskly drawn forward, so as to receive the whole, or 

 as much as it can contain, of the fish's length ; when 

 the frame being dexterously turned np to an horizontal 

 position, and being at the same time lifted clear out of 

 the water, the prize may be landed in security, without 

 incurring the smallest risk to any part of the tackle. 



Observe, that when once a large fish, far beyond 

 what can be contained in the net, is so far received into 

 it as to overweigh the part which is left out, no appre- 

 hension need be entertained of its escape j for the pre- 

 ponderancy of the head and shoulders, added to the check 

 occasioned by the pliancy of the net, will completely 

 prevent any effectual spring. 



Above all things, whether a fish be landed with or 

 without a net, be careful never to touch your line j let 

 it always be free, and never entangled in any thing, either 

 in or out of the water, that can possibly be avoided. 

 When you have not a net, and that the bank may be so 

 steep, as to prevent your reaching him in a proper man- 

 ner with your hand, many methods may be adopted. 



I have sometimes got a boy to aid me with his hat; but tl|s 

 best mode I ever practised \vas, that of passing a wire snare 

 (such as is used for jack, and large eels, and which is de- 

 scribed in treating of the former) over my line, and lower- 

 ing it down until I could get it over the fish's head 5 w r hen, 

 drawing the cord tight, I have thus lifted fish of eight 

 and ten pounds weight safely to the top of the bank, from 

 places where no landing-net could have been used. 



Landing-nets should never screw on to the end .of .a 



pole, 



