PLAYING A FISH FIRMLY HOOKED. 35 



guidly, shorten your line to a convenient length 

 and guide your fish, not against the water, but 

 with it, to some easy landing spot if it can be 

 found. Whilst you play a fish never show yourself 

 to him if you can help it, and request any one who 

 is with you, or who may be looking on, to keep 

 away from the water until your fish is landed. 



When a fish on being struck darts to the bot- 

 tom and then away, you may be sure that the hook 

 is firmly fixed, and then you may play him more 

 confidently than when his first struggles are made 

 on the surface of the water. Still be cautious, 

 and do not play too roughly. Kough play is 

 never necessary. It is always dangerous. Check- 

 ing a fish rudely whilst he is strong, increases his 

 obstinacy and his strength at the very time when 

 they ought not to be exerted. If you let him go 

 carefully when he is first struck, he will not 

 plunge desperately, as he most certainly will if 

 you strongly bear upon him whilst his vigour is 

 as yet fresh. Reduce this vigour by degrees, and 

 as it wastes away by your repeated checks, and 

 your causing him to haul a long length of wet 

 line after him, hold more tightly ; and when you 

 see him turn upon his side, bring his opening 

 mouth to such contact with the surface of the 

 water that more of that element will enter than 

 can pass out by the gills. These safety valves 

 having lost their natural action, something very 



D 2 



