ON THE FORDS OF TEME 113 
secret was that the angler watched his line with 
the keenest vigilance. When there was the 
slightest check or movement, he struck. Even 
if a passing leaf (autumn leaves on the Teme are 
numerous) came in contact with his flies as soon 
as they reached the water, he struck. His argu- 
ment was that if he waited for the point of his rod 
to bend sharply, or to feel the fish at the fly, it was 
too late for the strike. Results proved the wisdom 
of his contention. I have more to say of him in 
the next chapter, but here it may be said that he 
landed his fish by an ingenious method. When 
his trout or grayling was exhausted, he would 
stick the butt of his rod into a metal-bound 
leather socket attached to a belt; he was thus 
enabled to reel up, because the rod was now self- 
supported, and when the fish was played out and 
near enough for the purpose he would for the 
moment trust the rod to hold the fish by itself, 
detach his net, and so finish the affair. The 
net was slung so that it could be easily detached. 
Naturally if a friend was handy he would desire 
to act as gillie. The Major (of this book) and I 
both counted it an honour to serve in that 
capacity to so good a fisherman and fellow. 
