MORE FISHING NOTES. 237 



us ; now for another cast ; out flies the roach in 

 another direction ; as it nears the lily-leaves, a long 

 flash of white shows for one moment. It is all right, 

 he has taken it close home. When we think he has 

 had time to pouch it — for we are not using snap 

 tackle — first seeing that the line is clear from a foul 

 with the lily-stems, then letting out line, and seeing 

 that all is clear about our feet, very gently we bring 

 it up through the rings, close up, and hold it by the 

 forefinger of our right hand close to the butt. Now 

 for it ! Take that ! One ! Two ! What a com- 

 motion ! With a rush the fish leaves his lair for the 

 open water : he springs right out of it, coming down 

 with a great splash, making the water fly in all direc- 

 tions. This we acknowledge by lowering the point 

 of our rod to him. By simply raising it again we 

 have command over him directly. He is a nice short 

 thick fish, so far as we have seen of him, between six 

 and seven pounds in weight ; certainly a plucky one, 

 for he fights like a game-cock. But the game ends 

 in our favour, for we land him on that shelving sandy 

 shore, and admire him greatly. 



I have now done with the pike, but should consider 

 my notes on the subject incomplete did I not add a 



