BAIT-FISHING FOR TROUT 59 



line in so that the current carries the bait towards 

 tlie roots of the alder. Now watch it in its course. 

 It rolls gently and slowly down stream ; and, as it 

 nears the largest root, there is the flash of a fish 

 swifter than that of the lightning, if it be possible, 

 and the bait is seized. Don't hesitate — strike ! 

 There you have him ! and the next moment he 

 swings out in the air a good quarter-pounder. Do 

 you wish to preserve the coloring of this very 

 handsome specimen to show the folks at home.? 

 Well, kill the fish as I instructed you when speak- 

 ing of sucker fishing, by pressing the ball of the 

 thumb against the roof of its mouth, and snapping 

 the vertebra ; and here is a piece of fine tissue 

 paper. Always carry some with you ; it occupies 

 but little space in your pocket, and if it be closely 

 wrapped round a trout, will cling by reason of the 

 natural moisture of the fish so tight as to exclude 

 all air and most of the light ; and so you will find 

 when you get home and wash it off, your fish is as 

 bright spotted and handsome as when it first came 

 from the stream. 



Fish carefully, especially in the spring, all the 

 shallows, and most carefully those near to holes 

 and trouty nooks. After the spawning season the 



