98 CATCHING THE WILY SEA-TROUT 



there is a sudden burst of strong light. The ideal con- 

 dition is when the clouds are so heavy and uniform that 

 merely a subdued light filters through. 



Having selected a night that has given every promise 

 of agreeable fishing, one of the most aggravating set- 

 backs that you can experience is for a bank of fog to 

 come rolling up the valley and to blot out the river. 

 Evening mists of this character are somewhat prevalent 

 in late summer and early autumn, and they have the 

 effect of quelling any desire on the part of the sea-trout 

 to give a performance. When you see a white vapour 

 stealing towards you, the most sensible thing to do is to 

 pack your kit at once and hope for a better morrow. 



When reviewing the many disadvantages with which 

 the night fisher has to contend, I think that there is no 

 exaggeration in saying that the odds are in favour of the 

 sea-trout. 



I have met men who have paid visits of a fortnight to a 

 sea-trout river and, owing to a miscellany of impossible 

 conditions, have not been able to make a cast during any 

 night. Contrariwise, others who have had to be content 

 with long week-ends, have arrived in time for a pro- 

 pitious spell of weather and have used their rods each 

 night. Therefore, to make arrangements with any 

 degree of certainty of striking a lucky patch is out of the 

 question. 



When the outlook is satisfactory, we " locals " usually 

 form a small party of three or four for night work, as 

 company helps to enliven the drab periods when the fish 

 are down. Each of us carries a whistle so that, in time 

 of stress, the one who needs assistance can summon it. 

 A six or an eight pounder requires some manipulation if 

 the sea-trout is to be grassed in the dark, and a helping 

 hand can turn potential disaster into success. If you are 

 using a collapsible landing net at such a time, release the 



