PLAYING. 419 



over. He is also prepared for a " fit of the sulks," as I have termed it 

 elsewhere, as well as for a " stone-grubber " and a " dancer." 



Perhaps the chances of success are more remote in the case of a 

 Salmon which, having run up or down stream, makes directly towards 

 the Angler. In these circumstances the object is to recover slack line. 

 Every available precaution should be taken in this, especially at those 

 Catches where the bed of the river is rendered foul by rocks or boulders. 

 Sometimes I hasten towards the "slack," so as to wind in line as fast as 

 possible. If, however, the ground on land or in water is shallow and 

 free from obstruction, it is better to walk back into the field, straight away 

 from the fish, and reel up with all possible speed. The next dangerous 

 moment in one's endeavour to prevent the flesh being torn comes when 

 the fish starts off again, puts his head down and his tail up, making good 

 use of it by " smacking " the line as he goes. Held' lightly, and he will 

 soon give up this " kicking." 



Let me deal with another source of danger. It so happens, and not 

 unfrequently either, that, manage a wild fish how one may, the line will 

 catch in something or other quite on the bed of the river. I am talking 

 now of a fish running down-stream. The plan is to get above the 

 unlucky spot, letting out line, and the moment the run terminates, with 

 the upper hand holding the rod and line, pull quickly from the winch a 

 few yards, raise the rod, and switch the line out beyond the mischief, 

 when the chances are that you will very soon find yourself in command 

 again. It is only too well known that some people will stand and pull 

 at the part caught up, and the best advice I can think of to 'give is that 

 classical hint vouchsafed to persons on the brink of matrimony 

 "Don't." 



The one great thing to bear in mind is " to be easy with him in his 

 frantic movements," and to show him the butt, putting on pressure 

 gradually, when the usual signals of distress exhibit themselves. And 

 should circumstances prohibit you at any time from following your fish 

 while the line on the winch is running short, to fearlessly and suddenly 

 drop the point of the rod; for remember the more you pull at "a runaway 

 horse " the more he " gallops." 



The student will not fail to remember this expedient in the case of a 



EE 2 



