106 ON TROUTING WITH THE FLY. 



are wading, it is better to act upon tlie maxim that 

 " a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," and 

 come on shore before taking it off the hook, as it is 

 very dangerous doing so when in the water. When 

 you hook a large trout, which you cannot pull on 

 shore at once, but require to exhaust previously, 

 pull it down stream, as, in addition to choking it 

 sooner, you have the force of the current in your 

 favour. In playing a trout, do so as much as 

 possible by keeping up with it by walking, and 

 never let out line if you can avoid it. It is obvious 

 that with a long line you cannot have the same 

 command over it as with a short one ; and take 

 care never to allow your line to get slack, as if you 

 do, and the hook is not fixed, but merely resting 

 on some bone, a thing which frequently occurs, the 

 trout will throw it out of its mouth. To leave this 

 point, in taking the trout out of the water do so 

 with your hands, if you have not a landing-net ; 

 and never attempt lifting it by the line, or you are 

 almost certain to pay dearly for your experience. 



When you are approaching a pool which you 

 intend to fish, if the water is clear do so carefully ; 

 you must recollect that the trout see you much 

 more readily if you are on a high bank than if you 

 are on a level with the water. For this reason 

 keep as low down as possible, and always, if the 

 nature of the ground will admit of it, stand a few 

 yards from the edge of the water. If there is a 

 ripple on the water you may meet with good sport 



