336 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



from excitement or a lack of judgment in managing them. 

 It is always the safer plan to handle a fish as if he was slightly 

 hooked, and in fishing a rift, to get him out of the rough 

 water and towards the margin where it is comparatively still, 

 as soon as possible. For in his efforts to escape, you have 

 the force of the current, as well as his strength and agility, to 

 contend with. 



If the water is still, and the fish indisposed to show fight, 

 tow him gently to one side and then to the other, as you reel 

 in the line. If there is a sloping shore without obstructions, 

 and you think he is securely hooked, you may sometimes get 

 a little headway on him, and, by a steady pull, lead him 

 ashore before he overcomes his astonishment at being hooked, 

 or has realized his danger. If in landing a fish in this way, 

 though, you allow him to come in contact with a stone or 

 other impediment, it will arouse all his fears, and in his 

 desperation he may tear loose. 



When a fish of unusual size is hooked, and you can do so 

 without disturbing the lower end of the rift or pool, it is safer 

 to lead him down stream, for this increases the difficulty of 

 his breathing, while you are assisted by the current, and the 

 strain on your tackle is diminished. 



English writers direct us, after hooking a fish, to keep the 

 rod in a perpendicular position, or the point well back over 

 the shoulder ; this is very well if he is securely hooked and 

 swims deep. If he struggles and flounders on the surface, 

 though, the point should be immediately lowered, and the rod 

 held nearly horizontally across the stream, giving him the 

 whole spring of it, thus keeping him under. It is better not 

 to raise his head above the water until he is somewhat ex- 

 hausted, or until you are ready to slip the landing-net under 

 him. 



If your reel has a moderately stiff click, and the fish is large 



