FLY-FISHING FOR BASS, ETC. 1 29 



which my father — and none but himself hitherto, 

 owing to the dizzying effect — had taken his stand 

 for the glorious Thames trout. From this stand- 

 point the bait was manipulated deftly across and 

 athwart the rushing waters ; and there was fre- 

 quently ten or fifteen yards of loose line drawn 

 from the reel and coiled in a figure eight in the 

 hand preparatory to casting. Many a time had I 

 watched his dexterous movements with envy ; and 

 once, after aiding to boat a particularly large fish, I 

 remember the resolve was suddenly born in my boy- 

 ish heart that I would, could, and must do likewise. 

 The fishing season began in April, but was best 

 a little later ; and behold me, therefore, one bright 

 May Day morning, a boy of about twelve, early in 

 the light skiff, eager to reach the vicinity of the 

 " weir.'' I remember the joy I felt : it comes back 

 to me now ; and also the scent of the hawthorn 

 hedges, with their masses of white bloom ; the 

 carol of the skylark, the song of the thrush and 

 the blackbird, and even the brilliant azure and 

 orange-red hues of the kingfisher as he darted by 

 — all nature was radiant ! I soon reached the 

 venerable weir ; and, selecting with a general's eye 

 the most " likely " spot, I made the boat fast, and 



