110 



the designation ofcanishots. They are, for the mc^t parti- 

 done hi consequence of the bank having been excavated, 

 or of some considerable encroachment either made or 

 apprehended > consequently the water is very deep in such 

 places, and the current after heavy rains, and daring the 

 spring especially, very rapid. 



Such places harbour the finest fishes of all descriptions ) 

 but die angler must take care to explore, else he will, 

 almost infallibly, if the camshot be old, and often re- 

 paired, or perhaps be rebuilt more and more within, at 

 different periods, find himself entangled amongst con* 

 cealed timber work, from which no clearing ring can 

 relieve his hook. 



The fishes which frequent such places, instinctively 

 betake themselves, the moment they feel the hook, to the 

 piles, &c. and rarely fail, unless the tackle be uncom- 

 monly .strong, to chafe, or to snap the line. At all 

 events, t&ey dog in and out in such a manner as effectu- 

 ally prevents every kind of controul, and ultimately con- 

 fines them to a very short portion of the line. Under 

 such circumstances, the fate of the fish is rarely known 

 to the angler j but that of his line is obvious ; for he must 

 lose every inch beyond die first impediment, and if he is 

 not very careful, may injure his rod very seriously, 



The most prudent way, on such occasions, is to com- 

 pound for some loss, and to cut away the line, by any 

 means that may offer, as low down as may be practicable. 

 This is certainly, in many instances, a vexatious relinquish- 

 ment ; but the experienced angler will confirm the pro- 

 priety of diese hints. 



Jf, however, the trial is to be made of forcibly pulling 

 up tbe impediment, it should be done by taking the line 



