114 MINOR TACTICS OF THE CHALK STREAM 



line, and the impossible task of bringing the fish up 

 the racing stream into the tumbling-bay again, or 

 of passing the ten-foot rod through a twelve-foot 

 culvert. Happy thought ! there on the bank is a 

 plank that has been floated down the stream above, 

 there is some string, and there is the watcher to lend 

 a hand. He receives the landing-net, and goes 

 below some fifteen yards or so. Presently the fly 

 drops well soaked on the water, and swings over 

 the best of the trout, which the next minute has 

 raced down and through the culvert, tearing out 

 line until — yes, until the menacing net in the 

 hands of the watcher sends him securely to weed. 

 Now for the plank. A minute serves to tie on 

 the rod and to send the plank floating down 

 through the culvert. The watcher is ready on the 

 other side with the landing-net, and draws the 

 plank to the side. The rod is released, and soon 

 the angler stands over the fish with a short line. 

 Now for the net again. A few well-directed prods 

 with the butt brings up the fish, who bolts for the 

 culvert. But the net is before him on the far side, 

 and he gets back into the tumbling-bay. Guiding 

 the line with the butt, a pull is got on him which 

 soon brings him down again below the culvert. 

 The only remaining dangers are the weeds and 

 the hatch-hole at the far end. From this last the 

 net is again ready to keep him, and the great battle 

 ends as every such battle should. 



