110 BEHAVIOUR OF A SLIGHTLY-HOOKED FISH. 



hook is fixed into him the better, as there will be less 

 time given for second thoughts. 



I have invariably remarked, that whenever a large 

 trout is slightly or only superficially hooked, he very 

 generally commences to flounder about on the surface of 

 the water, like a miniature whale in his death-flurry ; 

 while, on the other hand, when the hook is deeply a"nd 

 securely fixed, he descends at once to the bottom, and 

 endeavours to dislodge it by rubbing about among the 

 gravel and stones. The latter behaviour is generally an 

 unmistakable sign that he is deeply and securely struck, 

 and with ordinary skill and coolness, barring accidents, 

 he will be safely brought to bank. On other occasions I 

 have seen a game trout, when first struck, rush slick 

 across the river, and perform half a dozen pirouettes high 

 in air, like a fresh-run salmon, the instant he felt the 

 hook in his jaws, previous to descending to the bottom ; 

 and in this case, the risk of his breaking either line or 

 hold, during these saltatory evolutions, is of course much 

 greater, more taxing to the skill of the sportsman, and 

 of course the run becomes correspondingly interesting. 



LANDING. 



As I hope the above instructions will enable the 

 tyro to hook his fish, I must supplement by telling him 

 how he may get it landed. And perhaps I cannot bet- 

 ter illustrate the proper tactics to follow, than by giv- 

 ing the following description of a spirited contest be- 

 tween a friend of mine and a large trout, hooked with 



