NETTIAG. 105 



the more of these miscellaneous articles are 

 gathered as the net is dragged down, and the 

 more often it is necessary to haul ashore and 

 clear it ; the sooner also it is torn and destroyed, 

 and of course a hole or tear in a net is fatal to 

 success. 



Wherever the mud on the bed of the stream 

 is a few inches deep, it is only necessary for a 

 fish to bury itself in it, or to take up its position 

 behind a stump or large stone, to be in com- 

 parative security ; it will only be inconvenienced 

 to the extent of feeling the lead line scrape over 

 its back. However closely the weeds may be 

 cut, there are sure to be small patches left here 

 and there, and it is surprising how small a clump 

 will raise the leads sufficiently to let them pass 

 over any fish which has taken shelter under 

 them. 



Wherever there is an extra deep hole there is 

 a chance of escape for fish under the net if the 

 leads are not heavy enough to sink the corks, 

 and over the net if they are. Every bough, 

 root, or stump, projecting into the water, as 

 well as every part where the outline of the bank 

 is irregular, or much riddled by rat-holes, is a 

 hiding-place for the crafty ones among the pike. 

 In many places the mud silts up close to the 

 banks, owing to the force of the current being 

 greater in the central portion of the river. The 



