42 STRIKING, HOOKING, PLAYING, 



sibly hook the fish, provided he has the knack of 

 striking, which knack, like all others, is acquired 

 only by practice : it must be done by a very 

 sudden, but not a very strong stroke a twitch of 

 the wrist. Having hooked him, the rod should be 

 carefully retained in that position which will allow 

 its greatest pliability to be exerted. For beginners 

 to do this, it may be advisable that they should 

 get it up over the shoulder, and present the butt- 

 end towards the fish. A gentle pull must now be 

 kept upon the fish, and he should be led down the 

 stream rather than up, making use of the reel as 

 occasion may require to shorten the line. But if he 

 runs in towards the bank upon which the fisherman 

 stands, it will be necessary for him to approach 

 the edge of the water as nearly as possible, hold- 

 ing the rod with an outstretched arm in almost an 

 horizontal position, and if the reel is of the usual 

 bad construction, it will be also necessary to pull 

 in the line as quickly as possible with the left- 

 hand ; this may prevent the fish from reaching his 

 harbour: if it should not, he will most likely 

 twist the gut round roots, &c., and break away. 

 To kill him, the nose must be kept up as much 

 as possible, and should he be very importunate 

 and resolute, he may be lent a little more line 

 now and then, but it must be promptly retaken 

 with tremendous interest, and got up as short as 

 possible. After various fruitless efforts to escape, 



