NIGHT-FISHING ANTICIPATION 91 



tures at about 10 p.m. and never cease operations before 

 3 a.m., while their breakfast is usually served between 

 eleven and noon. One night, a venturesome member of 

 a party waded too far, and a calamity was averted merely 

 by the fact that his companions were able to go to his 

 rescue at a critical moment. 



To render night fishing worth while and agreeable, 

 attention in every detail must be paid to preparation. 

 The methodical angler in daytime scores the most points, 

 but even he must make doubly sure of his readiness for 

 night duty. Each item of tackle should have its allotted 

 place, so that, if need be, a spare can be found by touch. 

 Consequently, before starting for the water, satisfy 

 yourself that all the requisite articles are in order. 



The first essential is to see that you are suitably clad. 

 During the heat of a summer's day you may be tempted 

 to ignore the probable low temperature at night, and, if 

 you are new to the business, you have no idea how thin 

 and cold the atmosphere is at midnight. As you stand 

 in the dewy grass by the side of the chilly river, the air 

 becomes charged with dankness that seems to penetrate 

 to the marrow of your bones : hence some additional 

 protection is highly necessary. 



I favour a suede jacket to be worn under an ordinary 

 coat. This light but warmth-providing article can be 

 carried easily in a fishing bag, and can be donned at the 

 water-side, after the exercise of walking to the selected 

 pool has set up a healthy glow. 



A fishing novice asked me, one evening in a September, 

 if he might join me in a night's jaunt. I readily agreed, 

 but advised him to augment his day's attire, as he had 

 been wearing slacks and a blazer, without a waistcoat, 

 when trouting. He did not fall in with the idea, as he 

 considered that a nip in the air would be a welcome 

 change after the day's torrid heat. We began casting 



