132 MOSTLY ABOUT TROUT 



handle spinning so quickly that it became in- 

 visible. It was not one of the modern reels 

 with big drums and adjustable check that rejoice 

 the fisherman of to-day. The spindle was thin, 

 and the check, which worked with the same 

 power when reeling in or letting out line, made 

 a tremendous noise, almost like the rattles used 

 by small boys to frighten birds off the crops. 

 A very noisy and very inspiriting sound. 



That first rush, tearing line off the reel, was 

 terrific. It was comforting to know that there 

 was plenty of " backing " on the reel, strongly 

 spliced to the end of the silk casting-line, and 

 soon the backing began to show. The fish 

 seemed to be making for the open sea at the 

 mouth of the voe, several miles distant. Then 

 came disaster. I held the rod-butt a little 

 too close to my body. The handle of the reel, 

 still spinning madly, just touched my waistcoat. 

 It felt like only a little flick, but with a big 

 sea-trout still in the momentum of his first 

 rush and a long and heavy line towed behind, 

 keeping the fine gut as taut as a violin-string, 

 it was enough. I reeled in sadly, put a fresh 

 point and fly on the cast, and sat for some 

 moments silent, in blank despair, not daring 

 to glance towards the gillie. So passed the 

 morning. For some time we saw no sign of 



