App. B. Fly and phantom. 249 



and' pur bag for the day consisted of five fish, of 35 lbs., 

 29 lbs., 17 lbs., 7 lbs., and 3 lbs. respectively, which was not 

 bad, as we had not a rise before three in the afternoon, 

 and it was dark by six. The water was rather thick, 

 especially in the pool. At dinner, we discussed the fail- 

 ures and successes of the day, repaired our damaged 

 tackle, devised fresh schemes for capturing the wily Mah- 

 seer, and then turned in, so as to be up and ready by 

 daylight. 



Our custom was to fish from daylight (about half-past 

 five o'clock) till nine or ten, and not start again till be- 

 tween two and three, when we fished till dark. Our time 

 between breakfast and our start in the afternoon was 

 always fully occupied in repairing tackle, whipping fresh 

 hooks, or making entirely new lines, so that the time never 

 hung heavy on our hands. 



Next morning, A. tried the junction with fly, as the 

 water was somewhat clearer, but without success. At 

 times, however, Mahseer rise well ; by far the most deadly 

 fly — indeed, the only one that appears to tempt them — 

 was Madras jungle-cock feathers in the wings, if with 

 silver body all the better. While A. was wading at the 

 junction I fished from the boat in the pool, and landed 

 one of 18 lbs. Shortly afterwards we changed places — 

 A. fished from the boat and I waded. I first tried fly, 

 but not getting a rise, put on a phantom. Hooked one, 

 played him for some time, and lost him; so then, as it 

 was quite breakfast time, I walked back to camp, where 

 I- found A. in great glee, having just brought home a 



