no MINOR TACTICS OF THE CHALK STREAM 



weed, is accepted and carried straight down into 

 the weed-bed below. The angler reels up tight 

 over the fish, but fails to move him. Ah, there 

 is the long-handled landing-net ! A few judiciously- 

 placed prods with the butt bring him plunging 

 stupidly out, and he is bustled down into open 

 water and promptly dipped out with the other 

 end. 



Secondly, the use of the mesh. Scene : A hooked 

 fish racing downstream towards a dense weed-bed 

 on the angler's side. The angler offers the net, 

 and the fish sheers off into midstream, and is 

 towed past the dangerous obstruction. Very 

 simple examples these. 



The third and next is more complex. Scene : A 

 hatch-hole which lets water from the same stream 

 into a carrier in the water-meadows. Camp- 

 sheathing on both sides of the hatch, supported 

 by three successive crossbars from four feet to 

 eight feet long as the sides diverge. Under the 

 middle bar lies a good trout, very evidently feeding. 

 Problem, how to get him. It is impossible to cast 

 underneath the crossbars. One can only cast over 

 them, and trust to luck and judgment to get the 

 fish out if one hooks him. If he runs downstream 

 the line is doubled over the crossbar and a break 

 is assured. But how is he to be prevented ? The 

 angler knows that under the apron of the hatch 

 there is a big hole, and he sets to work with 

 confidence. The fly is dropped from below, just 



