90 CATCHING THE WILY SEA-TROUT 



Another exceptional character was a county cricketing 

 amateur of some merit, who completed his life's innings 

 a few years back. He had the misfortune to suffer from 

 rheumatoid arthritis and he could walk only with the 

 greatest trouble, though he was able to stand. His 

 chauffeur would drive him to his fishing hut near the 

 bank of the river and then assist him to the brink, from 

 which position he would cast until he decided to try 

 elsewhere. Once more the chauffeur would come to his 

 aid, and, having fixed him in the desired spot, would 

 stand behind him in readiness to net the spoil. 



Lastly, an old friend of mine, who has nearly reached 

 four score years, was warned many years ago by his 

 doctor not to fish alone at night. The old sport laughs 

 at the suggestion and, when he knows that the sea-trout 

 are up, he makes for the river as soon as the sun has set. 

 There, with the zest of a youngster, he fishes in the dark, 

 and rarely returns with less than a brace. Therefore, 

 should you be past your prime and feel the weight of 

 advancing years, take courage from those who have 

 battled cheerfully with age and infirmity. But, whether 

 you be old or young, do not wade at night unless you are 

 acquainted with every inch of the river's bed, for some 

 rivers are most treacherous. In one, which I fish, there 

 are ledges of rock extending for several yards and are 

 covered by about a foot of water, then suddenly there is 

 a sheer drop of anything from six to eight feet. Daylight 

 wading in this river is fraught with danger, but to attempt 

 that action in darkness is simply asking for a catastrophe. 

 I offer this caution because so many anglers visit unknown 

 waters for a fishing holiday of a week or two in anti- 

 cipation of catching sea-trout at night. At an angling 

 inn, where I often stay, scores of enthusiastic night 

 fishers are to be found every season. There, the young 

 bloods turn night into day, as they start on their adven- 



