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is a branch of the subject on which great differences 

 of opinion exist, I will here quote some eminent 

 angling authorities in support of my views. 



Francis Francis says : " If a fish rises, a slight 

 upward turn of the wrist will be sufficient to fix the 

 hook. As for giving any direct rules when to strike, 

 they would be of little avail, as sometimes fish rise 

 quickly, sometimes with more circumspection, and 

 sometimes altogether falsely." Next, Cummins : 

 " When a trout takes your fly do not strike too hard ; 

 more fish are lost by anglers striking when using 

 small flies than are secured by such means. The 

 line tightened is sufficient in most cases, particularly 

 in fishing streams." In "Fishing " of March 3ist last 

 I say : " I agree that in rapid stream fishing there is 

 no necessity for striking." Ephemera also advises 

 that, " The moment you see, and then feel, a rise, 

 strike gently from the wrist." Elaine also writes to 

 the same effect. Stewart, in the "Practical Angler," has 

 the following passage : "A difference of opinion exists 

 as to whether trout should be struck on rising ; but, 

 in common with the majority of anglers, we advocate 

 immediate striking. When a trout takes a fly it 

 shuts its mouth, and if the angler strikes then he is 

 almost sure to bring the hook into contact with the 

 closed jaws. We have frequently watched the 

 motions of trout on taking a fly, and when left to do 

 with it as they chose, they very quickly expelled it 

 from their mouths with considerable force ; and we 

 think that, if the angler strikes, even when the trout's 

 mouth is open, he will have a much better chance 

 than by leaving it to hook itself. A trout on seizing 

 an artificial fly is almost instantaneously aware that 



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