146 MOSTLY ABOUT TROUT 



gripping from above and the other lifting 

 simultaneously from below, I gave a great 

 heave which sent the fish on to the bank just 

 clear of the water. Splashed all over, and with 

 arms and sleeves soaked, I struggled to the 

 side, climbed out, heaved him further into 

 the meadow, lest he should kick himself back 

 into the stream, followed him up, and gave 

 the coup de grace with a pocket " priest," The fly 

 was still in his mouth ; he was well hooked in 

 the lower jaw. He weighed three pounds and 

 half an ounce, so I had achieved my ambition. 

 Standing, a year later, beside his favourite 

 feeding-place in the bend of the stream, I miss 

 my enemy sorely, and wish that the campaign 

 could have lasted longer or ended otherwise. 

 I wonder whether I played the game quite 

 fairly. Tickling trout is poaching ; but is it 

 allowable to land one in that way when all 

 other methods have failed and the fly is still 

 in his mouth, with line attached ? Was I a 

 true sportsman ? Can he, from the Valhalla 

 of gallant fish, reprove me by exclaiming " Bad 

 form ! " as did the Pirate King to Peter Pan, 

 who had propelled, by a kick from behind, the 

 final leap of the Pirate into the ocean ? 



