132 A BOOK ON ANGLING 



reasonably stout and coarse, as very little play or law should 

 be given to the fish at night, as the angler cannot see obstruc- 

 tions. If a change of flies be desired, let them be so placed on 

 the angler's hat that he can with certainty pick out the fly he 

 requires without the necessity for examining it ; and as it 

 is almost impossible to undo loops in the dark, the fly should 

 be dressed on a plain strand of gut, and the end of the casting- 

 line left unlooped, so that the fly can be knotted on at once, 

 this being a process which you manage pretty well by feeling. 

 When the fly is to come off it must be broken off, and the fresh 

 one tied on in its place. 



As I have said, always fish with a tight line, that is, rather 

 down-stream in the dark. If the angler fishes up-stream there 

 is every chance of a slack line, when he will not feel the rise. 

 All must be done by feeling ; for though occasionally, if the 

 fish takes boldly, a rise may be seen, it generally happens that 

 the best rises, or rather those of the best fish, are very un- 

 obtrusive affairs, and the notice given to the rod point is so 

 slight that the angler may, if he fancies it is the touch of a fish 

 at all, set it down to some trumpery three-ounce flibbertigibbet 

 instead of that noble three-pounder he gazed at for an hour off 

 the bridge, with such a desire for a nearer acquaintance. Fish, 

 therefore, rather across, and let the line go steadily down until 

 it is extended, striking at every touch. Good large flies are 

 usually required at night, though this is not always the case, 

 if a strong rise of some small insect be on ; but more often than 

 not, one of the moths or the alder, cinnamon, sedge, or some 

 good sized fly will be used, and as the hook will be a largish one, 

 a firm stroke and a sharp course of treatment are desirable, as 

 the less " bobbery " made, and the less time wasted, the 

 better. Pop them into the basket ; and though I advise no 

 hurry, yet let no time be wasted. If the angler has any doubt 

 about the state of his flies, he should never fish a moment in 

 doubt, but run the cast through his hand. A short cast is the 

 best ; too long a line is unmanageable and uncertain at night, 

 and there is no need for it, as the fish will, if you conduct your- 

 self quietly, rise close to you indeed, I have often, when 

 wading, seen them rise within a yard or so of my legs. The fish 

 which are most likely to take well are those which get in close 

 under the banks. They are old soldiers, and pick a bellyful of 

 insects almost off the long grass, scarcely rising at all ; while 

 the fish which rise in the mid-stream and make such a pother 

 are for the most part but middling or little ones, Fish the 



