ii2 AN ANGLER'S HOURS vn 



this part of the pool ; it may be that the 

 other eddy has less movement, and con- 

 sequently has accumulated a little mud. 

 At any rate nine-tenths of the pike taken in 

 the pool are hooked in this eddy, and here 

 we accordingly fish. 



I have a somewhat childish liking for a 

 beautiful float, and the one I mean to use is 

 large and fat, its upper part a rich crimson, 

 and its lower a deep green. I am well 

 aware that it is conspicuous, and that the 

 complete angler would be ashamed to attach 

 a thing so monstrous to his line. Yet it is 

 not so large as a trimmer, and its ruddy and 

 cheerful countenance always seems emble- 

 matic of hope, even when the fish are least 

 in the humour. Equally ruddy and cheerful 

 are the three little pilot floats which are 

 fastened above the other at intervals of 

 eighteen inches. They are used ostensibly 

 to keep the line from sinking, but really for 

 aesthetic effect ; the line will not sink because 

 it has been well greased in the manner 

 known to dry-fly fishermen, but the floats 

 look pretty as they follow the big one in an 

 obedient row. If the rod were long enough 

 I should use more. Old Billy would not 



