64 THE SONG OF THE REEL. 



regardless of man's approach, sings cheerily; whilst farther on a 

 startled blackbird complains with mellow < clutterings," and a timid 

 moorhen beats a hasty retreat. 



During the next hour two more nice chub are landed, and a 

 " monster " hooked and lost a disaster necessitating a pause for 

 slight repairs to tackle. Subsequently, a likely-looking spot is tried, 

 where the stream curls round into a beautiful eddy, but it produces 

 nothing but a fish unworthy of a place among those already killed. 

 In another swim, of which the angler cherishes the fondest memories, 

 and where the bank projects over the water, the float disappears 

 almost immediateiy. With a powerful rush, a heavy fish dives for 

 some submerged roots no doubt its familiar " stonghold " testing 

 the skill and tackle of the angler to the utmost. Fortunately, how- 

 ever, a," smash" is averted; and at length, after a desperate 

 struggle, the fish is worn out and duly netted a magnificent 

 5-pounder, which eventually proves to be the best fish of the day. 



A return to several swims fished during the morning results in 

 the capture of a leash of fine chub, but a subsequent half-hour's 

 work brings nothing further to the net. And finally, when " twilight 

 enfolds the old church tower," the angler, with shoulders bent 

 beneath the weight of a heavy bag, wends his way homewards, 

 rejoicing in the success that to-day has attended his efforts, but 

 which, alas, he cannot hope frequently to repeat ! 



