188 ACTUAL PROCEEDINGS. 



under bushes, banks, past large stones, piles, sods of 

 earth, etc., and in fine, into every favourite haunt of 

 trout. In deep sluggish rivers, the tail of a sand-bed, 

 or a little below the mouth of a rivulet or feeder, are 

 likely spots. All the while, the rod must be held low, 

 and the tip as near the shore as convenient, in order to 

 prevent scaring the fish. As in every method adopted 

 for the capture of the salmonidee, the golden rule is, to 

 keep not only yourself, but every portion of your tackle 

 and implements, completely concealed from view. If 

 he disregards this it will be a hungry day with the 

 sportsman, should his dinner depend upon the contents 

 of his creel. 



I advise the first cast to be tried in the rapid at the 

 head of the stream, because in most cases those fish 

 intent upon worms or other ground-baits, will commonly 

 take up a position either in the rapid at the head of the 

 stream, or in the eddy by its side, in order to seize upon 

 whatever may be brought down by the current ; while 

 those on the look-out for insects upon the surface, will 

 be more frequently disposed in the quieter waters near 

 the foot of the pool. It will be well also at each fresh 

 cast or two to examine the bait, and see that the point 

 of the hook is not exposed ; as all fish regard a worm 

 with such a dragon-like appendage to its tail, much 

 in the same light as a nervous individual would regard 

 the near proximity of a mad dog, a cobra de capello, 

 or a maniac with a loaded musket. 



