26 



submitted in tame silence, and sank into an imiplicit confidence. 



We were now making for the Catches which had been previously 

 allotted, our " opponents " having moved in another direction. 



Keen to a degree, the young fisherman, who had been at it long 

 enough to catch the usual spirit of enthusiasm, seemed bent on trying 

 one particular spot, and hurrying along, enquired about the fly to put 

 on first. 



The reply was, " first let me understand the exact spot you mean, 

 for should it be at the hut in front of us, your only chance of success 

 would be by shooting a net." 



To paraphrase the proverb about true words spoken in jest, the 

 idea of shooting a net, though spoken lightly, proved later on to be 

 true. 



" No, we must go round the turn. The sun shines straight down 

 the water here and that's fatal. Higher up the river you will find it 

 shining across the water, in which case it won't do the least Harm." 



Taking a short cut through the wood close by, a peep at the 

 pool from the glade on the hill was obtained, and a spacious wet patch 

 of gravel beside the bottom part of it came into view. This led to 

 very close investigation on arrival. The grass-blades were freshly 

 trodden down, the sharp edges of the footprints still well defined. 

 And there, true enough, in amongst the stones at the water's edge, 

 lay numerous scales of salmon, which to all appearance had recently 

 been dragged ashore by the net of the poacher. 



" Disappointment No. 2 ; one might just as well cast on the 

 grass as try there. The only chance, for at least an hour, will be at 

 the bend." 



Thus we have only one instance of the numerous advantages 



