364 THE DRY-FLY MAN'S HANDBOOK 

 length. At the fine end of the bamboo a notch or 



O 



split is made, and the wire is pressed into this 

 notch to steady • it. The noose is adjusted to a 

 smaller or larger diameter according to the size of 

 the particular pike seen, and must run quite freely 

 through the eye so as to close on the pike at the 

 right moment. 



Everything being ready, the keeper walks along 



with the fine end of the bamboo 

 Method of using in his hand and the stout end 



the wire. trailing along on the ground. 



A calm sunny day is pre- 

 ferable, and he must walk quite slowly with his eyes 

 glued to the water until he espies a jack lying basking 

 in the sun. It is of the utmost importance that he 

 should walk slowly, and that his every movement 

 should be deliberate. Presently he catches sight of 

 a pike and, slowly adjusting the noose to the diameter 

 required, he moves with noiseless short steps until he 

 is within reach of the fish. Keeping as still as 

 possible, he places himself as nearly as he can oppo- 

 site and at right angles to the fish, having care- 

 fully noted the direction in which the pike's head is 

 located. 



Looking intently at the fish he should slowly and 

 deliberately lower the wire into the water at some 

 small distance above his prey, quietly extending the 

 bamboo and lowering the noose of the wire into the 

 water a short distance ahead of the pike. Should 

 the jack shift Its position he must leisurely withdraw 



