AN ADVENTURE AT BAKEWELL. 189 



be assiduously held there, line being gradually and 

 carefully taken in as he flounders over the weed beds. 

 A freshly hooked fish will be found to force a passage 

 by the stern or tail action, when firmly held by the 

 head, infinitely better than the rodster unaided, in the 

 case of an exhausted fish, could do it for him. 



We well recollect once fishing upon the Wye 

 (Derbyshire), at Bakewell, when the main incident of 

 the day had a direct bearing upon the subject now 

 before us, and may serve as an illustration of what we 

 have endeavoured to point out. It was about the 

 middle of April, the morning clear and keen, the 

 night preceding had been dry and frosty. Before 

 noon myriads of flies were out, whirling in ceaseless 

 activity in the warm rays of the sun. We had been 

 casting in a pre-occupied sort of way up to this time, 

 occasionally creeling a small fish, and now and then 

 imparting some little practical hint to a companion 

 under our tuition. Now that the flies were numerous, 

 the fish turned out to feed, and our lethargy was 

 shaken off in the anticipation of a consequent change. 

 During the half hour ensuing, we had experienced 

 exceptionally good sport, and whilst thus busily 

 engaged the old keeper came down stream, opened 

 conversation upon fish, fishing, etc., and seemed 

 in no hurry to deprive us of the benefit of his 

 attendance. 



"Where does the best of your fish lie, Keeper?" 

 we enquired after a time. 



" Oh, up by the bridge yonder, there's as nice a lot 

 o' fish there as anywhere i' th' river." 



