HOW TO PROCEED. 125 



fish, and it will inevitably be seized with the greatest 

 eagerness, the moment it touches the surface ; or even 

 before it has time fairly to do so, provided there is a 

 trout within sight of it, and the sportsman keeps his 

 own anxious visage out of sight. In this manner 

 numbers of large trout may be taken by a dexterous 

 hand, in a water properly adapted to this mode of fish- 

 ing ; as during the droughts of summer the only time 

 when it can be practised with much success the fish 

 are ill-fed and hungry. On a fish being hooked, the 

 angler must either contrive to lift him slick out of the 

 water, with as little disturbance to it as possible ; or 

 otherwise, if too large to permit of such a summary pro- 

 ceeding, he must endeavour with all speed to lead 'him 

 away from the pool, where future sport may be had, 

 towards an eligible landing-place. 



Again, should no bushes or other cover be at hand 

 to conceal the angler, he must glide stealthily forwards 

 towards the water on all fours, donkey-fashion, and cau- 

 tiously and deliberately let the bait down over the bank 

 edge, without exposing more of the rod than its very tip, 

 and scarcely even that if he can avoid it ; but this can 

 only be done in places where the bank overhangs the 

 water. He must also remember, that no part of the line 

 whatever must ever touch the water, but only the baits 

 themselves ; and that they must also be constantly kept 

 upon the surface ; for if their wings get wet (in the case 

 of flies being used), they will be rendered useless, and 

 will require to be immediately replaced. 



The natural fly may also be used upon a fly-hook, 



