'

IRLF

« in K E I E Y

GENERAL
LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY OF
CALIFORNIA

THE DRY v JR SEA-TROUT.

THE DRY-FLY ME'i_^ of angling, is, I am disposed
to think, of general application. I tried it in the
interior of Canada, on a river where I was assured a floating
fly had never been used, and the Dolly Varden trout rise to
it with avidity. I spent some time by the river and, strange
to say, never noticed a fly on it. The wet patterns that
killed best were small salmon flies that had no natural pro-
totypes. Yet the fish rose to the red quill, olive dun. and
blue upright with the ease and certainty of practised hands,
very rarely missing.

Bly latest application of the art was to sea-trout. These
sporting fish take the wet fly so freely that one rarely thinks
of mounting anything else. The conditions in which they
are caught lend themselves more freely to that method of
angling. It is usually swift-flowing water, too turbulent for
the light bark of a dry fly to travel many yards before being
swamped. I was fishing such a river late last season.
There were plenty of trout in the pools, but the water was
so light and the sun so brilliant that they rose very badly,
and only a few herring-sized fish were netted. I mounted
the finest gut, reduced the flies from three to one, but it
made little difference. Then I tried the dry fly, fishing tne
pool up from the bottom.

The fly had no sooner touched the water than it was down
to where I stood, so rapid was the current. In the second
or third swift passage a trout took it, making light of the
flying shot it entailed, and darted across stream, firmly
hooked. A second soon joined him in the creel. Then a b:'g
fellow entered the lists as competitor amongst the smaller
fry. and half emptied my reel before I could stop him. Un-
fortimately, he went down a swift rapid, where it was im-
possible to hold him, and smashed me on a long run.
Another, hooked on a stouter gut point, was prevented from
embarking on a similar career, and weighed a pound and a
quarter. These fish took a 00 March brown ; then I rounded
the corner of a dull interval by mounting an iron blue. It
acted like magic, and brought up fish after fish. It is diffi-
cult to imagine anything less liie sea-trout flies than the iron*
blue. It may have been its dissimilarity that formed the-
attraction. Whatever the explanation, it afforded me a fine
piece of sport, and was instrumental in securing an excellent
creel, I strongly recommend the use of the dry fly to sea-
trout anglers as a change method. COREIGEEN.

The Gentle Art of Angling

A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK.

BY

CORRIGEEN, JLu

a

LONDON :

Office of " Baily's Magazine of Sports and Pastimes,"
VINTON & CO., LTD., 8, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, CHANCERY LANE, E.G.

PREFACE.

THE number of books on angling proves not only the interest the
subject commands, but the variety of points of view from which it
may be treated. To cope with the wiles of the timid roach and carp,
and wary trout and salmon, the craft has developed to such a degree
as to rank among the sciences. Once having reached that position, it
would be presumption on the part of any v/riter to claim to have said
the last word.

It is clear, from the literature on the subject, that considerable
diversity of opinion exists among the authorities ; not only on the
natural history of the fish and fish-culture, but also on the practical
side of the art, in the choice and use of rods and tackle. It is among
these gaps that a niche may be found for a new book on angling,
which, while covering much of the ground already traversed by other
writers, takes occasional excursions into less explored territory.

Every angler has his own method of approaching the suspicious
quarry and wooing him to destruction. If he urges this as the better
way, he does so out of the fulness of practical experience. Whilst
infallibility does not rest with any one method, in the careful statement
of different points of view lies instruction.

One departure from familiar paths in the following pages is on the
make and weight of salmon rods. Reform in the use of heavy and
unwieldy weapons is overdue. The practicability of the counsel
I venture to give finds support in the fact that one of the principal
manufacturers has produced a salmon rod corresponding in weight and
efficiency with what I have advised.

The chapters on the art of rod-making and fly-tying are intended
for the rapidly increasing number of young anglers who aspire to
come into closer touch with the craft of so healthy and fascinating a
pastime.

The illustrations throughout the book are original, and con-
sequently have the defects of that virtue, as must be the case in
amateur work. This course I thought preferable to using the familiar
catalogue cuts that have been repeated in so many books on angling.
Jhe choice and variety of illustrations will, it is hoped, compensate

iv. Preface.

for the imperfections of the photographer. The assistance received
from several of the leading tackle makers has considerably lessened
this part of my task. In making this acknowledgment I desire to add
my best thanks. Amongst these are included the names of Messrs.
Hardy Bros., Alnwick; Messrs. C. Farlow, Strand; Mrs. Ogden
Smith, Knightsbridge ; Messrs. Enright and Sons, Castleconnell ;
and Mr. John Lydon, Galway.

I am also indebted to Messrs. R. and J. Beck, the opticians, who
have assisted me with special photographic appliances. For the
Natural History of Fish, I have consulted the standard authors ; and
for Dry Fly Entomology, Mr. F. M. Halford's book, which occupies
the premier place amongst works on that subject.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE

GUDGEON AND ROACH .. i

CHAPTER II.

DACE AND CHUB 8

CHAPTER III.
BREAM AND BARREL 14

CHAPTER IV.
TENCH, CARP AND RUDD ... 20

CHAPTER V.

PIKE 26

CHAPTER VI.
PERCH 39

CHAPTER VII.
TROUT RODS AND TACKLE " ... 47

CHAPTER VIII.
FLY-TYING 55

CHAPTER IX.

TROUT WET-FLY FISHING : 63

CHAPTER X.
TROUT DRY-FLY FISHING 70

CHAPTER XI.
TROUT SPINNING AND TROLLING 78

CHAPTER XII.
RAINBOW TROUT, BULL TROUT AND GRAYLING .,. ... ... ... ... 84

vi. Contents.

CHAPTER XIII. PAGE

WHITE TROUT 87

CHAPTER XIV.
SALMON RODS AND TACKLE 92

CHAPTER XV.

SALMON FLY-FISHING ... 95

CHAPTER XVI.
SALMON BAIT-FISHING AND SPINNING ... 99

INDEX.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Bottom Fishing Reels ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

Floats for Bottom Fishing .... 5

Chub Flies ... n

The Weir Chub Pool ••• I2

A Bream Swim ... ... ... ... ... ... --- 15

Shoulder-strap Landing Net ... ... ... ... ... 16

Where Tench Feed ' ",.\ 22

The Home of the Carp ... ... ... ... *.. ... 24

A Pike Pool on the Stour 27

Pike Spinning Tackle ... ... . . ... ... ... 29

"Silex"Reel 30

Telescopic GafF and Registered Safety Ring ... ... ... 31

" Punjaub " Wire Paternoster 33

Spoon and Minnow Pike Baits ... ... ... ... . . 34

The " Halcyon " Pike Spinner ... ... ... ... ... 35

Spoon for Lough Pike (Hardy's) ... ... ... ... ... 36

Pike Spinning Baits 40

Where Perch Lie ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 41

The Old Mill Pool 42

A Winter Pool 44

" Perfect " Trout Reel (Hardy's) ';...:' 48

Amateur Rod-Making ... ... ,.. ... ... ... 49

Jam-Knot for attaching Line to Gut ... ... ... ... 50

The Double Water Gut Knot 50

The Buffer Gut Knot 51

Fly-Tying (First stages) 58

(Second stages) 59

„ (Third stages) ... 60

Rod-Casting, Range of Arm 64

How to Cast (Forward action) ... ... ... ... ... 66

,, ,, (Backward action) ... ./. ... ... ... 67

How to Attach Fly to Casting Line ... ... ... ... 68

The Test 71

The Itchen 73

viii. Illustrations.

PAGE

The Bourne ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 74

The Avon ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 75

Dry-Fly Fishing ... 79

Spinners for Natural Bait (Hardy Bros'.) 80

Thames Flight for Natural Bait 81

The Crib White Trout Pool, Gal way River ... ... 82

Lough Corrib ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 82

Ballynahinch Salmon and White Trout River ...

Salmon Fishing in the Shannon at Castleconnell

Castleconnell Salmon Flies ... ... ... ... ... 89

Galway Salmon Flies ... ... ... ... ... ... 90

The Moy Salmon River, Ballina ... ... ... ... ... 96

A Salmon Pool in the River Maigue, Adair ... ... ... 97

The Horseshoe Pool, Galway Salmon River ... ... ... 100

The Prawn, Mounted and Threaded ... ... ... ... 101

THE GENTLE ART OF ANGLING.

CHAPTER I
GUDGEON AND ROACH.

INTRODUCTORY.

I AMATEUR angling is primarily a
$ distraction. As such it fulfils
a purpose which all innocent
pleasures are intended to sub-
serve. It takes one amongst
green fields and by the side of
restful rivers where the jar and
clash of business life are forgotten
in the hush of Nature's gentle
mood. In this respect it effects
detachment from the hard, matter-
of-fact pursuits in which most of
us are compelled to engage^/

To the busy man rest is not
always holiday ; to the man with-
out a hobby retirement frequently
shortens the span of life. An
object to pursue is, as a rule,
essential to the strenuous life, and
the range of angling is so wide
that some branch of it can be
easily acquired which healthfully
brings into play forces so accus-
tomed to movement that they are
disposed to chafe under inactivity.
In an address to medical men
on the preservation of their
health, reported some time ago
in the British Medical Journal, the
following advice is given : —
" Every medical man, if possible,
should have an outdoor sport of
some kind ; golf and cycling are
good, but perhaps the best of all
is fly-fishing. It takes one usually

into beautiful country ; the exer-
cise is gentle and varied ; the
interest is absorbing, and to my
mind is far better for the jaded
practitioner than scampering half
ov£r Europe in a hurry."
^.Angling, "thaiiiW in addition

to being a recreation, fulfils a
physical purpose. Those who
pursue it corroborate the fact.
Fly-fishing especially is healthy
gymnastic exercise which brings
not only the muscles of the arms
into play, but also the chesD An
example may be cited. Ayouth
with hereditary tendencies to con-
sumption was medically examined
and declared to be abnormally
flat-chested. Out-of-door exer-
cise was prescribed, and he took
to salmon-fishing, spending four
or five consecutive weeks by the
river, and as many odd days as
possible. Ten years afterwards
he was down with influenza, and
another doctor, who knew nothing
of his history, exclaimed, on
sounding him, " What a well-
developed chest you have ! Very
rare in a man of sedentary habits."
He told his story, and the doctor
agreed that he owed it to the rod-
casting exercise. It may give
point to the story to add that it is
a chapter out of the writer's own
biography.

The Gentle Art of Angling.

A well-known London medical
specialist with a large practice
thinks it worth his while to travel
by the night train to Scotland, fish
the next day, and return to town
within the thirty-six hours. " It
is the best exercise," he says,
"and clears out the lungs."
Salmon-fishing is an advanced
stage in the art that can only be
attained by prolonged practice.
Coarse fishing is the matriculating
stage, and as these instructions

cheap manufacture will have to
be repeated again and again, and
be the occasion of irritation and
disappointment. The varieties of
rods in the market are endless,
and in order not to confuse the
beginner by cataloguing rival
designs and makes, and placing
him in the position of the lover
who sighed :

How happy could I be with either,
Were t'other dear charmer away,
intend to confine myself to a

PLATE I.
BOTTOM FISHING REELS.

A. — Hardy Bros., Nottingham Reel with " Silex " and " Adjustable" Check Action.
B. — Gunmetal Reel.

extend from gudgeon to salmon,
the latter will be fully dealt with
in its proper place.

In regard to rods and tackle
for coarse and game fishing, too
much stress cannot be laid upon
the wisdom of purchasing from the
best makers at the outset. This
course will prove the most eco-
nomical in the long run. A really
good rod will last the best of a
lifetime, whereas an article of

make of rod of which I can speak
from practical knowledge, and
which, in my judgment, is at least
as good as anything that can be
procured. Possibly, as the young
angler gains experience in the
craft, he may become an eclectic,
and select a modification of make
suitable to his build and tempera-
ment. He will always find a
good maker ready to meet him in
this particular, and he is much

Gudgeon and Roach.

more likely to get exactly what
he requires by graduating in a
good school.

A rod, like a gun, must fit the
user. To fail in this is to fall
short in an essential particular.
In coarse fishing this may not
seem of much account, but in
trout and salmon angling it is of
the first importance.

I may have occasion to suggest
some modifications in the action
of rods under the head of game-
fishing. Here again one speaks
from his own point of view, and
must suggest rather than dog-
matize.

THE GUDGEON (Genus Gobio.)

The gudgeon is a small dark
brown fish with spots on the
sides and tail. It congregates in
large shoals. It is a shapely fish,
bearded like the barbel, and
found in most of our rivers. It
takes paste and gentles, but a
small red worm is the favourite
bait. An ordinary light roach
rod, which is described under the
roach section, is suitable for their
capture. The finest gut must be
used, varying in length according
to the depth of the water. The
gut must be shotted, so as to float
down the stream perpendicularly.
The strength of the swim will
determine the number of pellets
required ; that nearest to the hook,
and about 8 inches from it, must
be very small, the rest graduated
in size, always bearing in mind
the fewer the better, as long as
the float sinks properly. A No. 5
or 6 hook is the proper size for
worms. The line should be of
the finest quality, with a very
light float of the A pattern shown
in Plate II. Fix the float at a depth
that carries the bait about 3 inches
from the bottom of the swim.

Gudgeon frequent a gravelly
bottom, which supplies the food
on which they feed, and as perch

like a similar swim, and may take
a fancy to the succulent worm in-
tended for Master Gobio, it is
just as well to be prepared for him.
With a fixed line a good perch
would make short work of fine
tackle. It is advisable, therefore,
to have a running line on a light
reel. One of the best places to
find gudgeon is on a recently
baited barbel swim. After the
ground bait is exhausted there
remain odds-and-ends of worms,
gentles, and such-like, too minute
for the greedy barbel, but suffi-
cient to reward the industry of
gobio, who does not object to
grubbing for dainty bits. It is
quite possible that an odd barbel,
with pleasant recollections of a
good time, may return to look
round and see what is going on,
and on discovering a wriggling
worm or pair of gentles drifting
towards him, pounces upon it, to
be immediately hooked. With a
free running line, however fine
the tackle, there would be some
chance, by skilful management,
to bring him to the net — a feat
impossible with fixed tackle. In
fishing a swim from a moored
punt a running line is indispen-
sable, as the bait drifts over a
larger stretch of water. The
strength of the current carries the
line forward, aided by gently un-
winding the winch with the fingers
of the left hand.

Gudgeon swarm towards muddy
water and are always taken in
greatest number where the river
is slightly discoloured during or
after a spate. In the absence of
this condition the angler artifici-
ally supplies it. For this purpose
what is known as a gudgeon rake
has be'come a part of the outfit.
It is a long-handled implement
which is drawn over the gravel in
the bed of the river in front of or
behind the punt. This rake stirs
up the mud, and with it the food

The Gentle Art of Angling.

beloved of gudgeon, amongst
which the hooked bait drifts, and
the feeding that was going off is
renewed. Several dozens of fish
may be taken by this device.
Gudgeon make excellent live bait
for pike and large perch, and are a
delicately flavoured comestible for
the table.

There is no special art in this
branch of angling. With worms
and gentles a little time may be
given before a gentle strike is
made. With paste bait the
moment the float is drawn under
the strike should follow. The
line must be kept taut, as striking
is impossible with a slack line.

ROACH (Leuciscns rutilus).

A higher stage in fishing is
reached when roach become the
object of the angler's quest. A
good deal has to be learned before
one is equal to the wiles of this
shy and dainty feeder. He is a
handsome fellow, with silvery
scales, red ventral and anal fins ;
thick set, deepening rather than
lengthening in reaching mature
size. He rarely exceeds 2 Ib. in
weight, and few have been taken
that size. His golden rimmed
eyes are ever alert, and one must
go to work with the stealth of a
burglar to catch him. Silence on
the bank is so necessary that list-
soled boots would not be out of
place. Any heavy tramping near
the river will make him sheer off.
One has to study his own shadow
and choose the side of the river
where it will not project across
the stream. The stoppage of a
mill tail, the lowering of a sluice,
or any undue disturbance, will
drive him off the feed.

Ground baiting is necessary to
coax the shoal into a limited
space and whet the appetite for
feeding. This should be done the
evening before, and if the angler
is on the bank by daybreak next

morning his chances of sport will
be enhanced. It is fatal to let a
day intervene between ground-
baiting and fishing — a remark
that applies to ground baiting
generally. It is folly to expect
fish to remain after a long interval,
and if they do they are not likely
to be in the humour to bite after
a surfeit of food so generously sup-
plied for their consumption.

The usual ground bait is made
of stale bread well soaked, and
afterwards mixed with bran.
The bread is placed in an earthen-
ware vessel and covered over with
water, where it remains for a
night. It is then squeezed dry,
adding the bran, and divided into
small portions. Each lump is
thoroughly kneaded, and a mix-
ture of gentles added, which is
one kind of bait that the angler is
to use next day. Enough of the
ground bait should be made to
have a stock of balls to use when
fishing "as occasion may require,"
to keep to dispensing terminology.

Let it be assumed that the
angler is an early riser, and is on
the river's bank by daybreak.
The first thing to do is to mount
a suitable rod. I have already
expressed my preference for one
to be used with a running line.
Hardy Brothers " Guinea " roach
rod, varying from 10 feet to 12 feet,
is a suitable pattern. This is a
useful length for punt fishing. In
close quarters, where two or three
anglers sit, a very long rod is in
the way as well as unnecessary.
This rod is made of whole cane
in the butt and middle joints, and
greenheart in the top. It is stained
a dark green colour which is rest-
ful to the eyes, and not so scaring
to fish as the bright-coloured cane
used by some anglers. It is light
and quick in action and capable
of rapid striking.

For bank fishing a longer rod
may be used to advantage. The

Gudgeon and Roach.

bait can be dropped in swims
beyond weed patches. Many
anglers use a fixed line, with long
rods, and run the risk of being
smashed up with chub and other
large species, but some of the
best authorities on coarse fishing
advise the running line method.

The longer the rod is, the heavier
must be the make, and two dis-
advantages have to be faced. A
stiff breeze of wind makes a long

their caution. The gut must be
very fine, especially the links next
the hook. Before the manufac-
ture of drawn gut horse-hair was
used, but silk material, finer
and stronger, may be now ob-
tained. Unless the water is a
little discoloured, the nearest
point to invisibility in this part of
the tackle the better. Shot the
line as described under gudgeon
fishing.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

PLATE II.

FLOATS FOR BOTTOM FISHING.
(Hardy Bros. Patterns.)

A —Porcupine Cork. B. Sneck Head. C— The Fishing Gazette.

E —Porcupine Quill.

D.— The Nottingham.

rod unwieldy, and adds to the
difficulty of rapid striking, a sine
qua non in roach fishing. It further
detracts from the pleasure of play-
ing a fish, and play is always in
inverse proportion to the rod's
weight and stiffness. This point
will have weight with most
anglers.

Next, bear in mind that you are
about to try for very wary fish, and
you have to pit your wit against

Having mounted the rod and
cast, plumb for depth ; this is done
with a cone-shaped lead, flat in the
bottom, into which a piece of cork
is let. The hook is passed through
the ring in the apex of the plummet,
and -fixed in the cork. Several
soundings should be taken, and
ultimately the float fixed so that
the bait swims about three inches
from the bottom. A light porcu-
pine quill float, a variety of which

The Gentle Art of Angling.

is illustrated on Plate II., is suit-
able for roach. The line should
be very fine, and consist of un-
dressed silk. To prevent it from
sinking several dressings of vase-
line should be applied, each coat-
ing allowed to dry before the next
is added.

Everything being now ready, a
ball of ground bait is thrown into
the river. If the swim is long,
and fairly rapid, a piece the size
of a pigeon's egg should be at-
tached to the gut trace, and
dropped gently into the water.
As the float is carried forward
the ground bait will be gently
washed off, and sprinkle the
swim.

As gentles were an ingredient
in the ground baiting of the pre-
vious evening, it is advisable to
mount a couple on the hook.
They can be procured all the
year round, and at a trifling cost ;
the angler is, therefore, advised
not to get into disrepute with the
cook and the household in general
by attempting to raise them on
the premises. Two are attached
to a No. 4 or 5 hook, and the
fishing begins. As the float drifts
with the current, the line is paid
out by an occasional touch of the
reel, and kept sufficiently taut for
rapid striking. Roach are dainty
feeders, and the bigger they are,
the more dainty they become.
The smaller fry are bolder, and
seize the projecting parts of the
gentles and tear them away ; the
snatch is reflected in a sudden
bob of the float, and on striking a
bare hook returns. Heavier fish
usually get the bait into their
mouths, and suck it dry. In this
case the float scarcely sinks.
Several large roach were weighed
into a club a fortnight ago, and
the fortunate captor told me that
in no case was the float pulled
down beyond the cap. This is
common experience. It is advis-

able, therefore, to strike the
moment the float stops, or is
agitated to the smallest percep-
tible degree. The strike should
be short and sharp, and the hand
removed from the reel when the
fish is felt. This takes the strain
off the gut, and transfers a share
of it to the rod and line. Two
objects must now be kept in
mind : first, and chief, to land the
fish ; second, to achieve this end
with as little disturbance as pos-
sible. If the fish break away,
there is a loss to the basket, and
a possible indirect loss by scaring
others in a feeding mood. A
roach that breaks away, probably
dashes through the shoal, others
take alarm, and follow him. It
is advisable to get the fish away
from the spot where he has been
hooked as soon as possible. If
one is fishing from the bank, he
can be coaxed down stream by
inclining the rod in that direction.
From a punt this plan is impos-
sible ; the captive must be drawn
up stream, but by leaning the rod
to one side he can be brought
away from the main swim. By
sinking the landing net a little in
the water, it is possible to secure
him without a splash.

When the take goes off with
one bait, it is advisable to try
another. A variety of pastes
are open to the angler's choice.
Bread is the easiest made, and
perhaps the best of all. The
crumb of a white loaf a couple
of days old is broken off and
placed in a clean linen cloth,
which is immersed in cold water
until it is soaked through ; it is
then squeezed dry and kneaded
in the cloth until the paste stage
is reached. It must be kept per-
fectly clean, and not touched with
the hands. Roach are clean
feeders, and although they will
take a specially prepared yellow,
and even a red, paste, they draw

Gudgeon and Roach.

the line at a dirty white. Enough
moisture must be left in the
dough to keep it from crumbling
off the hook. A very little prac-
tice will make one, never intended
to be a cook, a passable hand in
this branch of culinary art.

Biscuit paste is prepared in a
similar way, first cutting off the
crust, and yellow bait by adding
a little turmeric to the flour.
Cochineal is the colouring ele-
ment used in red paste. A small
piece the size of a large pea is
placed on the hook for fishing.
The strike must be of lightning
quickness ; the fraction of a
moment too late enables Master
Roach to strip the hook bare.

Well-scoured worms may be
tried as another lure, using a
No. 6 sized hook with a sneck
bend. In this case longer time
may be given when the knocks of

the float indicate a biting fish.
The loose ends of the worm are
first attacked, and if the bait is
not drawn away, they tempt the
appetite of the feeder to make
further acquaintance with the
lure, to his own destruction. Do
not strike, therefore, at the first
nibble ; a second knock or per-
ceptible deepening of the float is
the time for action. In the winter
months roach are in best con-
dition, and give the most vigorous
play ; they then take to deeper
water, and the light swims know
them no more. The stock of
larvae and other diet in the gravel
are exhausted, or swept by floods
into the deeper pools, where they
go in quest of them. There they
must be sought, and to find them
on the feed on a frosty winter's
day is to enjoy the perfection of
roach fishing.

CHAPTER II.

DACE AND CHUB.

DACE (Leuciscus vulgaris).

DACE spawn in April and May,
and are in condition about Sep-
tember. Compared with roach,
they are thinner in proportion to
their length and of a bright silvery
colour. It is the ambition of
every angler to secure a pound-
weight specimen — a rare achieve-
ment, as they have an aggravating
way of falling short by a couple
of ounces. Small chub resemble
them so much in shape and ap-
pearance that the tyro's dream of
having captured a unique speci-
men is often rudely shattered by
an older hand pointing to the pink
anal fin, which in the dace is
colourless. They mix freely with
roach, and are taken on the bait
intended for the latter. They are
a favourite bonne bouche of jack,
and as the angler goes to the river
armed with a shorter rod for live-
baiting, he will no doubt be anxious
to add a few of them to his can.
The tactics are somewhat different
from those followed by the roach
angler proper. A light and rapid
swim is chosen, all the better if it
is flanked by bushes that over-
shadow the bank, and dip into the
stream.

Dace feed on the washed-up
food from these gravelly beds. If
there is a ford in the river, they
are sure to congregate near it on
the alert for the spoil stirred up by
the traffic. The best dace prob-
ably lie in the shade of the bank,
emerging now and again in quest
of food. A little ground bait
judiciously placed will draw them.
It should be looser than that used

for roach, so as to break up
quickly, and disperse all over the
swim. Less bread and more
bran will answer the purpose.
Dace are not great feeders, and a
margin of appetite should be left
for the bait to be subsequently
proffered. This point is some-
times overlooked by anglers, too
anxious to get the fish on the
feed.

The best baits are gentles and
worms, mounted on a roach rod
and tackle. The bait that kills
best is sunk deeply enough to
touch the bottom, instead of drift-
ing a few inches from it, as in the
case of roach fishing. I have
known two anglers fishing the
same pool, one of whom took dace
after dace by this plan, whilst the
other, fishing in the orthodox way,
caught roach only. To avoid too
much slack and consequent miss-
ing, when the strike is due a good
plan is to hold the float back a
little, so as to give the bait time
to drift forward. Dace bite
sharply, pulling the float well
down ; the strike should be short
and quick, making allowance for
the tackle, which cannot be too
fine. If a running line is used,
it is well to have as little slack as
possible. This can be arranged
by fixing a small piece of wood in
a loop on the line between the float
and the top ring of the rod. The
reel is winched round until the
wedge jams, which gives all the
advantages of tight lining and
leaves the reel free to run if
needed.

Dace rise well to the fly. Where
the river is overhung with trees

Dace and Chub.

and bushes, and casting is impos-
sible, the dapping method may be
used with effect. For this purpose
a floss line may be used. It con-
sists of fine undressed silk, which
is caught by the wind and blown
up or across stream. Natural
flies are mounted, and impaled on
a small round bend hook, through
the back, so that 'they alight in
the natural position. Any of the
ephemeridae afloat on the water
will prove serviceable for this pur-
pose, A place is chosen where the
rod can be thrust through or over
the bushes. With the wind at
one's back the fly is carried up
stream and settles on the water.
By raising the point of the rod it
touches the surface lightly, and
daps on it in the manner of the
natural insect. A grasshopper is
an admirable bait to dap with.
By these means excellent sport
may be obtained where the fish
are plentiful, and good specimens
are often found in such places.

The favourite method in fishing
for dace is with the artificial fly.
With the wet fly the river is fished
down stream. Three flies may be
mounted and, casting across the
river, they are caught by the cur-
rent and swept down. When the
line is fully stretched they are
gently worked up by bringing the
rod gradually back over the shoul-
der. When a dace rises there is
a break in the water, and a sharp
turn of the wrist secures him. If
the fly has not been taken another
cast is made over the spot where
he rose. In this way, yard by yard,
the swim should be fished from
top to bottom.

The dry-fly method is to fish
up stream, and in clear water is
the most effective. Fishing down
stream, especially in bright sun-
light, the angler can be seen, and
the fish dart off. Up stream one
is behind them, and not so much
in evidence, although due caution

is to be observed. By stooping
close to the bank a long cast can
be made. It is usual to wait until
the fish rises. In the case of dace
one has not to wait long, as when
flies are on the water they rise
freely. Noting the place where
the break occurs, and a drifting
ephemera has been sucked down,
a dry fly §uited to pattern is cast
above ih'e* spot. The imitation
with wings erect begins to drift
down stream, a cunning device,
capable of deceiving the elect
among fishes. It is an exciting
moment when the fly reaches the
spot where its prototype has dis-
appeared ; then comes the break,
and the answering strike from the
rod, there is a flash and plunge,
and the playing of the dace
begins.

There is a great variety of flies
which can be used in wet and
dry patterns, black gnat, March
browns, Wickham fancy, various
coloured duns, silver sedge,
coachman, &c., any of which,
using oo (and ooo in bright sun-
shine), are suitable.

As fly-fishing comes more pro-
perly under the head of game
fishing, descriptions of rods and
tackle, and hints on methods of
casting, must be deferred until that
section of the subject is reached.
For dace a g-ft. or " feather-
weight " rod is most suitable.

CHUB (Leuciscus cephalus).

As the most interesting chub
fishing is obtained with the fly, it
naturally falls under this section.
The fish is easily distinguished by
its broad, thick-set head. The
anal and ventral pink fins differen-
tiate him from dace, and the
absence of red-rimmed eyes from
rudd and roach. Those who have
been curious enough to taste his
flesh have concluded that he is
intended for sport rather than diet,
although Walton gives a recipe

10

The Gentle Art of Angling.

for cooking him. The rivers in
the days of Isaac were purer than
in ours. I am of opinion that the
chub, like the barbel, is not a clean
feeder, but helps himself liberally
to any offal that may find its way
into the river. As a warning to
experimenting on his flesh, it may
be hinted that I know a whole
family that spent a night of agony
after doing so — a word to the
wise! As chub run to a large
size, 6 Ib. or 7 lb., and are
common enough at 4 lb., they
offer a diversion, if not a comes-
tible, to the fly-fisher. They are
found in the deep pools of many
of our rivers, and in July, when
the trout at mid-day are obdu-
rate and seek the cool shadows
under weeds and high banks, they
will take the fly freely. I know
such a river, and instead of follow-
ing the example of Salmo fario and
seeking the cool shade, let us in
imagination visit a certain pool
and brave the tropical weather for
an hour. It is below a weir, over
which the water leaps with a roar.
It trembles in a basin at the foot,
overflows and courses down a
pebbly shallow, and is hushed to
silence in a deep pool. In this the
chub are to be found.

An 1 1 -ft. trout rod is suitable
for the work, but the reel with a
soft dry fly line is taken off, and a
plaited silk one substituted. The
heavier make is needed for getting
out the fly and sinking it, as the
lighter silk make is required to
keep it afloat. A stouter casting
line is also mounted, to which a
large-eyed fly is attached.

There is a variety of chub flies
to choose from, palmers, alders,
coachmen ; but knowing the taste
of the occupants of the pool, an
Alexandra is selected. For trout
this pattern is not generally per-
missible. An exception is made
in the case of chub ; the addition
of a gentle or two on the point

of the hook is deemed lawful, a
practice unpardonable in the case
of trout, but L. cephalm is a low-
bred species, and high morals do
not apply to him. It is well to
stretch the casting line and drown
the fly in the swift current before
approaching him, then fish it
down carefully. At the neck of
the pool a cast is made, and the fly
begins to work round and down
stream. The top of the rod is
lowered, and the fly, well satu-
rated, sinks below the surface.
When the full strength of the
current strikes the line it rises
again, and is gradually worked
up in preparation for a cast lower
down.

This time it alights on quiet
water, immediately sinks, and the
usual movement of the rod to
give life to the fly is commenced.
This is effected by a slight motion
of the hand up and down from the
wrist, the top of the rod rises and
falls, and the fly swims in short,
sharp jerks. As the rod goes
back over the shoulder the fly
travels up stream. The line is
taut, and the smallest touch can
be felt. The strength of the cur-
rent carries the line towards the
bank. The pool is deep there,
and very soon there is the sense
of an unmistakable pull. That
is the moment to strike by an
upward movement of the wrist ;
resistance and convulsions follow.

The moment the chub is hooked
the finger should be removed from
the line, bringing the reel into
play. The captive will probably
give two or three savage pulls
and rush out into mid-stream. If
the reel is not free to relieve the
strain, something will give way.
The first moment or two are
critical ; if he does not break
away then — unless he is a big
fellow — he will be landed, in all
probability, if firmly hooked and
cautiously handled. Even heavy

Dace and Chub.

11

fish are arrant cowards and pas-
sive resisters at best, rarely put-
ting forth their full strength or
making a long run in the fight for
freedom. No ! up he comes to the
surface with scarcely a kick, and
suffers himself to be winched in
and netted ignominiously.

The only fish that I know that
takes the fly and yields to fate so
sheepishly is the American rock
bass. All head and a tapering
body like the red gurnard, he
gives a couple of pulls and then

his weight serves him as a resist-
ing force, and the issue will be
determined by the strength of the
casting line. A dozen chub may
be hooked in this pool, some
breaking away through light
hooking, others on the first strong
pull. No break is made on taking
the fly under water ; they are
sluggish risers as well as players.
Chub are also to be found under
the overhanging boughs of trees
by the river's side, where a 4 Ib.
or 5 Ib. specimen is frequently

Alexandra.

Cock-y-bondhu.

comes to the surface with his
great mouth agape, and can be
dragged 20 yards without a flip
of the tail. The angler who
knows the plucky fight of a pound
trout, his gamey springs from the
water, and helter-skelter rush
down stream, will be disposed to
hold in contempt the white-
livered valour of the chub. All
the same, he can give trouble if
there is a clump of weeds within
reach in which he can hide. Then

CHUB FLIES.
Red palmer.

Soldier palmer.
Hackled bee (on gut).

taken. The soldier palmer and
cock-y-bondhu are excellent pat-
terns to try in such places. Skil-
ful casting will tell, dropping the
fly under the boughs with a good
splash — they?)', bear in mind, not
three or four yards of line with it,
which is bad fishing. Imagine a
fat, hairy caterpillar falling from
a high branch of an alder into the
river, and the kind of splash it
would make ! Palmers are imita-
tions of caterpillars ; there lies

12

The Gentle Art of Angling.

the rationale of this description
of casting. It is not easy to
describe it without a rod and
ocular demonstration. It is done
by a high cast, and dipping the
top of the rod when the line is
nearly fully stretched ; this takes
the strain off, and the fly falls
heavily by virtue of its weight,
and makes the desired splash.
The rise of a chub to a fly
proffered in this way is sharp,
and the answering strike should
be equally so.

it with an avidity that shows a
discernment for good things
scarcely credible in view of his
baser proclivities. Even straw-
berries have beguiled him to
destruction.

A float must be used propor-
tionate in size to the bait. The
hook should be larger and the gut
stouter than those used for roach,
and mounted on a heavier rod.
When hooked, chub make for the
weeds or the roots of trees, and
one must be armed with a weapon

THE WEIR CHUB POOL.

Bottom fishing is a less scien-
tific, but not less effective, method.
Large specimens are taken with
bait of different kinds, for the chub
is not fastidious. Lures varying in
degrees of nastiness comprise the
menu with which the angler goes
forth to beguile him — slugs, frogs,
grubs, greaves, pith, and brains of
bullocks, and ill-smelling cheese.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
To do him justice his low-bred
tastes take an aesthetic turn, and
if a cherry or damson tree drops
its fruit into the water, he takes

of sufficient resisting power. In
the winter they fight harder and
give better sport than on a hot
July day. If the water is dis-
coloured, it is well to fish nearer
the bottom, under normal con-
ditions 3 or 4 inches above it.
Lobworms, threaded on the hook
from tail to head, are good bait.
If the head is high up on the
shank the hook is often missed,
as all large-sized fish show a pre-
ference for seizing their prey by
the head rather than the tail.
This hint will be found useful,

Dace and Chub.

and fewer chub will be missed if
it is acted upon. Bread paste
also is attractive, using a larger-
sized bait that can be seen a good
distance under water.

Cheese is, perhaps, the best lure
of all ; the red-coloured make
shows up well, although many
anglers prefer the white. A little
preparation to get it into a soapy
condition is necessary. Cut it
into cubes and squeeze it in a
cloth dipped in water. If it is
inclined to crumble, a little added
fat brings it to the right con-
sistency. This can be done by
the riverside, choosing a spot
above the pool about to be fished.
The moisture wrung into the
river will find its way into the
pool and set the chub on the qui
vive. A little cheese thrown in as
samples at the same time will not
lessen the chances of sport. If
you use cheese that is rather
high, and are fishing from a
boat, do not invite ladies next
day!

Cherries are mounted on a tri-
angle hook. A slit is made in
the fruit and the stone removed.
The triangle is slipped into its

place, manipulating the cherry so
as to close up the slit and give the
fruit a natural appearance. A few
cherries thrown in from time to
time will whet the fishes' appetite.
A good hard pull is needed to get
the steel home when the fish
bites, as three prongs offer great
resistance. With cheese a single
hook is used, taking care not to
bury the point too deeply, as the
soapy paste is not easily pene-
trated when the strike is given.

Small frogs, when they are
about, are mounted on a long
shanked hook, similar to the
reprehensible " gorge " used for
jack by the pot-hunter. After
killing the frog it is threaded
through the body from head to
the hind feet, leaving the points
of the hook to extend from the
mouth. With any of these baits
the chub may be sought for under
deep clay banks, near houseboats
in quiet backwaters, or where
there is an inlet by which food is
likely to find its way into the
river.

Legering will be dealt with
under a separate head, as it ap-
plies to bottom fishing generally.

14

CHAPTER III
BREAM AND BARBEL.

BREAM (Abvamis bvama).

BREAM belong to the larger class
of coarse fish, and are much in
quest by anglers. They are plen-
tiful in most of our British rivers
and ponds, and are widely distri-
buted all over Europe. Most of
the large Irish lakes hold them,
but they are seldom fished for,
the presence of higher game dis-
counting their value. Ichthyolo-
gists are divided as to the varie-
ties. Some account for three dis-
tinct species : silver bream, bream
flat, and the common bream ;
others are equally dogmatic in
alleging that the three are in
reality one, viz., Abramis bmma.
As our business is how to catch
the fish rather than classify them,
we shall not enter on the vexed
controversy.

They spawn in May, June and
July, laying a large number of ova,
and are consequently found in
immense shoals in the rivers.
The female fish, during the spawn-
ing season, loses the characteristic
grey colour and becomes a redder
hue. In five or six weeks they
get into a fit condition to reward
the angler's prowess. About
October they take to deep water,
and alluring them with any form
of bait is next to impossible.

An acquaintance with the river
is a great advantage to the angler,
and it is advisable in the absence
of such knowledge to secure the
services of some one who knows
their haunts. Failing this, a few
hints may be serviceable.

In clear water and a bright
sun they frequently indicate their

whereabouts by the flashing of
their sides as they turn in the
stream. Once discovered, it is
well to keep to the spot, even
though they do not at first patro-
nize the angler's lure. One does
not catch fish whilst moving
about, and they may begin to
feed any moment. If one shoal
moves off, another may take its
place, and be in a more sporting
mood than the late occupants.
Quiet, too, is indispensable, and
prowling about the bank of the
river may scare the bream that
would otherwise be disposed to
bite. When they cannot be act-
ually seen their presence may be
detected by air bubbles rising and
breaking on the surface of the
water. They emit a good deal of
oxygen from the bellows move-
ment of their mouths when feed-
ing. The mud stirred up from
the bottom when they root for
food frequently discolours the
water. This in conjunction with
the air bubbles not only indicates
their whereabouts, but is a sign
that they mean business, and the
angler may hopefully approach
them with his ware. It is advis-
able to bait for them over-night,
and be on the banks of the river
at cock-crow.

The ground bait advised for
roach, with the addition of pota-
toes, is suitable for river bream.
For still water, bran and toppings,
which can be procured at a corn-
dealer's, kneaded into balls, is
effective in drawing them to-
gether. Oil cake added to either
of these forms of baiting is often
used. Boiled wheat is another

Bream and Barbel.

15

prescription. Whatever kind is
used, care should be taken that it
is sweet and fresh, as bream are
clean feeders.

The rod should not be too stiff,
and light enough to get the best
sport out of the bream. In length
it varies, according to the circum-
stances in which one fishes. From
a punt length is a matter of in-
difference. A long pole is an ad-
vantage when approaching them
from the bank. Running tackle
is indispensable, as one has to fish

porcupine or swan-quill float,
about 5 in. in length. Bearing in
mind the nervous temperament of
your quarry, anything that makes
a splash or bulks large in clear
water is inadvisable. For the
same reason fish fine, using a
couple of yards of gut, the hook
link being of the finest and best
undrawn quality. If you get
smashed up with a running line,
it will be your own fault, or that
of your tackle, as bream are fair
fighters and rarely attempt to take

A BREAM SWIM.

fine, and a heavy bream is not to
be trifled with. The winch should
have an easy yielding check, a
Nottingham or gun-metal make
will serve the purpose. A No. 9-
sized hook (new scale) will accom-
modate the bait, which in quantity
should be larger than that used
for roach. A crystal or a sneck
bend, with a long shank, is the
most suitable pattern.

The nature of the water must
determine the method of angling.
In a slow-running stream, varying
little in depth, it is best to use a

to the weeds or such harbourage,
like our friend the chub. As they
feed off the bottom the bait
should be affixed so as to trip
along the mud in running water,
or rest on it in a sluggish pool.
Bread paste, worms and gentles
are all good baits, and if one does
not attract the fish, try the others.
The, first indication of the
bream's addresses is shown in the
float rising from the perpendicular
and lying flat on the water. This
proves that the bait is lifted off
the bottom, and the float relieved

16

The Gentle Art of Angling.

of the weight assumes the hori-
zontal position. Bream in feeding
look as if they were standing on
their heads. They suck in the
bait and then quickly move off,
like Oliver Twist, in search of
more. This action is further re-
flected in the float which gives a
quiver rather than a bob, regains
the perpendicular again, goes
under and moves off in a slanting
direction, following the sluggish
movement of its captor. The

Shoulder-strap net with knuckle-joint
closed.

moment the float goes under is
the time to strike, which should
be firm and decisive. It frequently
happens that the fish does not
move off after taking the bait.
In that case the float still lies flat
on the surface. It should not be
allowed to remain long in that
position without striking, especi-
ally if the bait be paste. Too
long delay brings an empty hook
back to the angler, as bream
quickly strip it, even with worms

as the lure. More bream are
lost by delay than precipitancy.
In fishing without a float — a
method much in vogue by some
anglers — the fish is felt by vibra-
tion, followed by the slackening of
the line, when the strike should
follow with as little delay as
possible.

When the bream is hooked the
first plunges are formidable, not
unlike that of the barbel, but
the subsequent movements are

Shoulder-strap net open.

different. The barbel goes off in
a straight line after boring down-
wards, if he goes off at all ; the
bream moves in a zigzag fashion.
It is well to distinguish between
them, as the barbel may mean
mischief, and should be held up
to prevent entanglement of the
line. The bream has no such
intention and may be controlled
with a lighter hand. He does not
maintain the promise of the hard
fight that the initial plunges

Bream and Barbel.

17

foretell, but soon gives in. There
should be as little fuss as possible
in getting him to the net, in order
that his confreres may not be dis-
turbed.

Legering is another way of
catching bream. It had its origin,
no doubt, in negotiating portions
of the river too far distant to fish
with a float, although in the case
of barbel it is often used for its
own sake, and in preference to
other methods. The device is
simple, and consists in adding a
leaden bullet to the gut tackle.
About 3 feet from the hook a pellet
of shot is squeezed on. Above
this the leger is placed. There
are several patterns, but the best
is made of a round lead bullet
filed or cut off on opposite sides
so as to lie flat on the bottom.
A hole is bored from edge to edge
large enough to give free play to
the gut. The pellet of shot pre-
vents it from slipping down to the
hook. The link on which it runs
consists of fine gimp or gut. If
the latter, it must be of sterling
quality, as it has to bear a heavy
strain. Salmon gut is not in-
ferior to gimp in strength, and is
less conspicuous in the water.
When the fish pulls the bait, the
gut travels through the hole with-
out disturbing the bullet, and the
movement is immediately felt by
the angler. Care must be taken
that it runs freely ; any resistance
or a slight prick of the hook
makes the fish drop the lure be-
fore there is time to strike. Bream
have a strong bellows power of
blowing out a bait.

Swift currents and weirs are
suitable places to leger. The rod
must be of a stiff build, as the
weight of the line and bullet have
to be counterbalanced. A long
sweeping stroke of the rod is the
form the strike should take. The
early morning is the time for
bream fishing, and late in the

evening, and in August and Sep-
tember the fishing is at its best.
Ground baiting overnight will
materially improve the chances.
For weirs, clay mixed with the
food will prevent it from being
swept away. River bream are
better conditioned fish than pond,
and give more sport, as their broad
sides against the current offer
strong resistance. Patience is a
virtue in angling for them ; they
come on the feed in unexpected
moments, and after long waiting ;
when hope deferred makes the
heart sick they begin to bite, and
a dozen may be landed in rapid
succession.

BARBEL (Barbus vulgaris).

Barbel are the most sporting of
coarse fish ; they are found in
rivers and do not flourish in ponds
like the bream. The great rivers
of Europe contain them, where
they are reputed to grow to an
enormous size, and to reach 50 Ib.
in weight. Every Thames angler
knows the barbel, and attains the
height of his ambition when he
adds to his record the capture of
a twelve-pounder. The fish is
easily recognized by the hanging
protuberances from which it de-
rives its name. One is situated
on each side of the upper lip, and
two in front of the nose. The
head is wedge-shaped, the body
elongated, and of a greenish-brown
colour on the back, and yellow on
the sides ; the throat and the
under portion are white, and the
fins reddish. They are shy fish
and easily disturbed. Their feed-
ing habits are most erratic and it
is difficult to predict their mood.
One may angle for a week with-
out getting a bite, at other times
they feed so ravenously as to be
taken in large quantities. They
move about the river in large
shoals, playing in the water and
kicking up Meg's diversions, for

18

The Gentle Art of Angling.

no apparent reason but exuber-
ance of robust life.

In a river like the Thames there
is no chance of a good day's
barbel fishing, except by copious
ground baiting over night. The
traffic, especially in the bright,
sunny weather, when they are
chiefly caught, scares them into
the deepest beds of the river, or
the weirs, where they are beyond
the angler's reach. Boatmen are
not always to be trusted to ground
bait to the extent necessary for
their capture. A few years ago
a great slaughter was effected at
Bourne End, but the swim was
baited with five thousand worms
and other food previously. One
must personally attend to these
preliminaries if he is to have
sport. Bread, bran, greaves,
gentles, and worms must be
thrown in in large quantities, and
the fishing start at daybreak.
Then in the quiet of the morning,
before the river traffic begins,
sport may at least be expected.

Sound but light tackle must be
the order of equipment, whatever
method of angling be employed.
Put your trust in an easy-running
check reel, rather than strong gut
and large hooks. One can bring
a salmon to the net on a light
cast and careful management, and
formidable and dogged as the
barbel is, he is no match in
strength for Salmo salar. It is
all done from the reel, and bottom
fishers, pur et simple, in my judg-
ment, do not trust it enough. If
a barbel gets round a snag or
other fastening there will be a
smash up, however strong the
tackle, but far more fish are lost
by holding too tight a line than
by running foul of a post or stone.
The strain on the gut by the bor-
ing habits of the fish is relieved
by the reel, and the object of the
angler is to get as much sport out
of his quarry as possible ; the

harder he fights the sooner he
comes to the net. The rod for
barbel should be light, of sound
material, and sufficiently stiff for
legering or for float fishing.
Eleven feet is a good length ;
whole cane is a favourite with
most anglers, being light and
pliable ; a greenheart of carefully-
selected wood, particularly the
top joint, which has to bear a
heavy strain, is another good
make. The rings should be large
enough to allow the line to run
freely, and the winch fittings
strong.

There are several methods of
angling for barbel. Legering is
alone possible in swift water and
foaming currents. The tackle
has been already described under
the bream section. The leger
bullet must be heavy enough to
resist the strength of the water
and remain in its place when
thrown in. A swivel below the
shot on the gut keeps it from
twisting. Having selected the
swim, mount a lob-worm on a
No. 10 hook (new scale) to com-
mence with. Worms are the best
bait, but the changes may be
rung on gentles, paste and cheese,
if the sport is slow. The slack is
rolled in, so that the line is taut,
and the least movement can be
felt. The bite of a fish comes in
a palpable knock, which cannot
be mistaken, sometimes singly, to
be followed by a double tug, and
a lateral movement of the line,
when the strike should be made.
It should be hard, and followed
up by raising the rod, and not
giving an inch of law until the
hook goes fast. Some anglers
give two or three tugs, but this is
rough on the tackle, and there is
a slight slacking of the line in be-
tween, which may serve the fish's
purpose better than the angler's.
The epidermis of a barbel's
mouth is tough as wash-leather,

Bream and Barbel.

19

and when the hook gets home,
it holds fast as a rule. The issue
afterwards depends on sound
tackle and good management.
In quiet flowing streams, the
float fishing method is adopted.
The object of the float is achieved
as long as it can be seen, and is
heavy enough to keep the bait
tripping along the bottom. The
small porcupine make is the best.
In stronger currents, a quill en-
cased in cork should be used,
and in the mist of the early
morning or late in the evening a
red - painted top will assist the
eyesight. When the float is
pulled under, the strike should
follow immediately, holding tight
until the fish is well hooked.
Barbel play doggedly to the end
of the chapter, the struggle some-
times ending in one long plunge
to the bottom, and then coming
to the net.

When changing to gentle or
paste bait, a No. 5-sized hook
should be substituted. What is
known as tight corking is another
good method. Having plumbed
the depth, the float is placed a
couple of feet higher up the line,
so that a spare length of gut lies
on the bottom. The shotting of
the line must be sufficient to
keep it from moving. Slider, or
traveller floating, is a further
modification. By this means,
places of uncertain depth may

be negotiated. The float is free
to travel up and down the line,
and adapts itself automatically
to the height of the water. There
is a large ring at the base of the
float, and another near the top.
A stop is placed above the float
by inserting a piece of double
stout gut in a half hitch, and is
sufficiently pliable to pass through
the rod rings when the line is
winched in.

A lump of ground bait, with
dry bran in the centre, should be
occasionally squeezed on the gut
a couple of feet from the hook.
This sprinkles the swim, and
attracts barbel. When they
begin to feed, one may get an
hour's fishing not to be forgotten
in a lifetime. A good-sized land-
ing net must be in readiness for
bream and barbel. The hoop
should be large and the net deep
and strong. A jointed make that
can be carried by a leather cord
on the shoulder is very con-
venient. In moving up and
down the banks of the river, it
is not unusual to forget this im-
portant part of an angler's outfit,
perhaps to find oneself fast in a
fish, and the net a hundred yards
away. Such a mishap is not
likely to occur if one makes a
practice of carrying the net on a
shoulder strap and ring. I give
illustrations of an excellent make
that I use habitually.

20

CHAPTER IV.
TENCH, CARP AND RUDD.

TENCH (Tinea vulgaris) stand
high in the estimation of bot-
tom fishers, not only for their
dogged fighting qualities, but
as a contribution to the larder.
Much spoil of the angler's craft
never find an honoured place
there, and are dubbed " dry-eating
things, only fit for the cat," by the
practical housewife. The boy
who, having graduated in the
school of gudgeon and roach,
adds, for the first time, a 2 Ib.
tench to his creel, gains distinc-
tion in his own eyes and that
of his less fortunate companions
that spoils his interest in school
preparation for one day at least.
He had probably gone in quest of
eels to a sluggish pond and found
himself battling with something
that had swallowed his brandling
and pulled under his float with a
vigour not given to eels. What
a fascinating object the tench
seemed as it lay gasping at the
youth's feet ! I should not be far
off the mark in saying that the
captor, judging by his flushed
face and trembling hands, was
gasping too. The prevalent tint
is a golden bronze, in which olive
and dusky shadings blend. Be-
neath the slimy coating that
covers the body, small, closely-set
scales flash forth in rose-coloured
hues. The eyes — not large com-
pared with the size of the fish —
gain intensity and depth from the
brilliant golden iris setting. The
fins, standing boldly out from the
body, suggest strength and vigour
in keeping with the hog-back
neck and broad sides. The pec-
toral is large and the ventrals
concave, which aid the captive in

the stubborn resistance it shows
in fight. A pair of barbels
assist the tench in quest of food,
which it seeks in the muddy
bottoms of rivers and ponds.
Like the eel, which lives under
similar conditions, its gills are
protected with a slimy mucous
coating, which adds to its vitality
and prolongs its life out of water
for an indefinite time. The pecu-
liarity of the tench in this particu-
lar is remarkable. An instance
comes within my own knowledge,
which is worth narrating. My
son, in his boyhood, fished a pond
in which he caught three or four
tench, averaging about i Ib. in
weight. They were knocked on
the head and thrown on the bank
for dead. In the evening I joined
him and we rode home together
with the spoil dangling from the
bars of my son's cycle, secured by
a piece of string passed through
the gills and mouth of the fish.
We rode over nine miles on a
road extremely bumpy in many
places. On reaching our destin-
ation one of the fish showed
signs of life. We put it in a bath
filled with water, but it turned
over and appeared quite dead.
The youth, who had a penchant for
experiments and was deep in pis-
catorial lore, suggested brandy as
a restorative, and half a teaspoon-
ful was poured down the fish's
throat. The effect was shown in
a kick, followed by a movement in
the gills. In a few moments it
was swimming about vigorously,
and lived for three days. It re-
fused all food, however, and
gradually languished. Had it
been placed in a pond there is

Tench, Carp ami Riuhl.

21

little doubt that it would have
survived.

I have known an eel to live two
days in a field, and it seemed as
lively as when it came out of the
water. Unlike the tench, it was
not injured in any way. I got it
bobbing with worms threaded on
worsted. It was night time, and
I lost it in the grass. The gills
of the eel are more protected than
those of the tench, and of course
the grass contained a good deal of
moisture.

Muddy ponds and rivers, being
the habitat of tench, angling de-
vices must be adapted accordingly.
For ground baiting a mixture of
potatoes, brown bread, and bran
is used. This bait is an excellent
"draw" in large ponds. If the
pond is small enough to fish all
over with the rod I should not
advise it unless one is certain that
eels do not comprise part of the
joint stock company. The latter
congregate on the baited spots,
and become a nuisance the
moment one begins to fish. They
will take the worm and swallow
it, hook and all, to a depth that
requires an abdominal surgical
operation for its recovery. They
will entangle and knot your gut
hopelessly, and slime you from
head to foot if you are not
careful.

Brandlings are the best bait for
tench ; failing them red worms
and lobs. Brown bread paste
sweetened with treacle or honey
and greaves may be tried, but in
my judgment only when the stock
of worms is exhausted. Fine gut
cast and line will secure more
sport than heavier tackle. The
rod should be long and pliable, so
as to yield freely to the play of
the fish. The hold is not likely
to give way as the mouth is
leathery ; it is simply a question
whether the gut will bear the
heavy boring strain which the

fish puts on ; a stiff rod, therefore,
would be fatal. It may be laid
down as a general principle that
the pliability of the rod should be
in direct proportion to the light-
ness of the tackle.

Tench do not move far from the
spot where they are hooked, but
content themselves with fighting
it out on their own ground. This
they do with praiseworthy energy.
They take the bait from the
bottom. Tight corking, already
described, is a good method to
adopt. A second hook mounted
with paste may be used with ad-
vantage. In that case it should
be adjusted so that one lure lies
on the bottom and the other just
clear of it. Legering is necessary
to fish distant parts of the water,
using a very light bullet that will
not sink in the mud. Care should
be taken not to drag it along the
bottom, embedding it in the mud
and the bait with it, and prevent-
ing the line from running when a
bite occurs. The worm should
be looped on rather than threaded
on the shank, catching it lightly
with the hook in a couple of
places. It lives longer and at-
tracts more attention mounted in
this fashion. When the worm
dies a fresh one should be sub-
stituted. Stale baits catch no
tench. The bite is very similar
to a bream's, the float rising to
the surface of the water then
going under and moving off in a
slanting direction. When this
happens the strike should not be
long delayed.

A condition favourable to the
capture of tench is slightly dis-
coloured water. After a night's
heavy rain the mud is stirred up
in ponds, and fresh food is borne
into the deep river holes. The
angler on the spot under such
conditions is not likely to go
home with an empty basket. A
strong wind that raises a wave

22

The Gentle Art of Angling.

and causes a heavy bank wash
has a similar effect. This brings
tench to the margin of the pond
in quest of food that is washed off.
One is sure to find them in the
discoloured water on the windward
side, ready to seize the brandling
the moment it is offered. I have
known the worm to be taken
before the float had time to touch
the water. They hug the bank
where the water is deep, and
anglers will be well advised to
follow their example. Eels will

Anglers to be successful must use
brains off the hook as well as on it.
Tench grow to a large size ;
specimens up to u Ib. have been
taken, but not with a rod. Four,
five, and six pounders are by no
means uncommon. To grapple
with one of these dimensions is no
light undertaking, and demands
the angler's greatest skill to bring
him to grass. There is a tradition
that this fish has medicinal pro-
perties that appeal to the pike's
respect, and that the latter will

WHERE TENCH FEED.

probably be on the war-path and
give trouble, but tench can hold
their own when they set their
minds to it, and rise from the
bottom to seize the prey with an
agility that outwits their rivals.

In clear water the most likely
place to find them is close to
weedy patches. If they are rout-
ing, air bubbles will be seen rising
to the surface, as in the case of
bream. A preliminary survey of
the river will help to " fix their loca-
tion," as our Transatlantic cousins
say. Time will be savedin this way.

not molest his benefactor. This
sense of gratitude on the part of
Esox Indus must be accepted with
reservation. It is more probable
that there is something in the
slime of the tench not palatable
to jack, and they are eschewed for
this reason. The slime is very
similar to that of the eel. Last
summer I got sight of an otter in
the Itchen. The next morning
I found a 2 Ib. eel on the bank,
with the head eaten off. The
passage of the otter through the
sedges was unmistakable, and

Tench, Carp and Rudd.

23

close to the spot where I had
seen him. The head of the eel
is freest from slime, and the otter
was content to eat that part and
leave the rest. Pike have been
angled for with small tench, but
they declined to take them.
When a dace was substituted,
the bait was immediately seized.
This is fairly conclusive proof of
the pike's antipathy to tench as
food. I regret to be compelled
to dispose of the one virtue tradi-
tion ascribes to him.

CARP (Cyprinus carpio}.

The angler who has success-
fully outwitted carp is to be con-
gratulated. Of all fresh-water
fish it is the most difficult to
circumvent. ; Its wariness to all
forms of Jures is notorious.
Catching a weasel asleep is a
trifle compared with catching a
carp awake. The precautions to
be observed in approaching him
are almost too much for human
flesh and blood to undergo. The
prescience with which he is
credited makes him a detective
that Scotland Yard might envy.
Although his food normally con-
sists of decayed vegetables and
other untempting fare, in the
matter of anglers' baits he is an
epicure. He is supposed to smell
the fingers that have handled the
hook baited for his destruction.
A veteran angler once advised
me, in all seriousness, not to
touch anything offered to him ;
counsel rather difficult to carry
into practice. Tackle also has
its difficulties. If you fish fine,
he cannot be held ; if coarse, he
will laugh at your simplicity.
Despite all this, I have never
known an angler that did not
try for him. One has only to
get a glimpse of him to risk the
odds, though it is one in a hun-
dred against getting a nibble.
His golden brown tint with a dash

of olive in it, his large scales of
over thirty rows, his huge dorsal
fin, his thick-set, but by no means
unshapely, body, make him a
prize worthy of capture, though
years be spent in the quest.
Homer nods, and even carp are
found napping. The angler for-
tunate enough to stumble on this
exception to his wide-awake mood
verily has his reward.

To encounter him is to experi-
ence some of the best play known
to a rod. He fights like a demon,
taking the line off the reel with
lightningswiftness, boring, jerking,
and putting forth enough force to
jeopardise the strongest tackle.
All the weary months in which
he passed by on the other side
of the bait, all the precious time
that might have been used to more
profit among less sophisticated
species, the vows of renouncing
him and all his tribe, are forgotten
in the moment of battle, when the
" fox of the river " — as he has
been appropriately called — has
been hooked at last. And yet
the chances are that he will not
be landed ; he breaks for the
weeds, buries himself in the
deepest hole and becomes as
immovable as a log. It is not
for nothing that he is given the
biggest brain of all fresh-water
fish ; every ounce of it is
drafted into service in the fight
for dear life — small blame to him ;
all the more credit, too, to the
rod if it wins the victory.

Ground-baiting has a purpose
different from gathering carp into
a particular hole, as in the case of
bream and barbel. Its object is
to disarm suspicion ; and the pro-
cess, to have a chance of success,
should be repeated several days
in succession before a hooked bait
is offered. To imagine that a hole
baited overnight will set carp on
the feed is an innocent delusion.
They will take the ground-bait
with thanks, but when the same

24

The Gentle Art of Angling.

food is offered at the end of a
line they have a way of suddenly
remembering an engagement at
another part of the pond or river.
It is a case of diamond cut
diamond, and a plan of campaign
extending over several days must
be adopted. When they have
been supplied with ground-bait
for a night or two, small portions

before any profit is reaped. But
the profit comes when a fully
armed hook and stouter cast
take the place of the decoy, that
is, to those who have time and
patience to go to all this trouble.
If one is not ready to do all this,
he will be better advised to go
after whales or crocodiles — any-
thing, in short, rather than carp.

THE HOME OF THE CARP.

should be dropped into the water
at different times of day. Then
pieces attached to a hook without
a point to it should be lowered
into the water on fine gut, stained
water-colour. If this is taken,
the process should be repeated,
and the wearing off of the shyness
will begin. A good deal of capital
must be sunk in the business

The rod most suitable is a
14 ft. length, and fairly pliable.
A very stiff weapon puts a heavy
strain on the cast, a lighter make
admits of using finer tackle—
an important consideration. The
latter should consist of salmon
gut of the best quality. In still
water on a fine day no shot should
be used, and when a breeze is

Tench, Carp and Rudd.

blowing only what is needed to
keep the bait in its place on the
bottom. It must be placed 12 in.
from the hook. A light quill
float is the best pattern, and placed
at a distance, so as to leave the
bait a few inches of gut aground.
This must be ascertained by
plumbing beforehand. The line
should be the finest and strongest
procurable; 100 yards are not
too much, as carp make long runs,
and there is no holding them back
when they go on the rampage.

The ground-bait usually used
consists of red worms, gentles,
paste and greaves. The paste is
mixed with honey, for, despite
their coarse habits, carp have a
sweet tooth. Boiled potatoes
mixed with brewers' grains and
white bread is a favourite dish —
bait-sized pieces are better than
large balls ; green peas and small
peeled potatoes mounted on a
triangle hook should follow up a
copious potato ground-baiting.

Late in the evening carp roam
all over the water, showing them-
selves freely by the edge of the
weeds and making a peculiar
sucking noise, which can be heard
a long way off. The tail and
dorsal are visible on such occa-
sions above the surface. At times
they plunge and rush, leaving
great waves in their wake. The
spectacle is calculated to move
the angler to envy and stimulate
his longings to grapple with the
hard- playing quarry ; but at such
times the carp seems to have no
more serious business in hand
than an aimless gambol, and the
lure lying at the bottom of the
pond is not likely to attract his
attention.

RUDD (Leuciscus erythrophthalmus).

The rudd in appearance is a
glorified roach. They are fre-
quently mistaken for each other.
Close examination shows a marked
difference in colouring. Instead

of the plain dress of the roach,
red, orange, silver and gold com-
prise that of the rudd. The mouth
shows an under projecting lip, the
tail and dorsal fin do not cor-
respond in size and shape to those
of its cousin.

Roach have not been discovered
in the Irish rivers or loughs so
far, but rudd are plentiful, and
are naturally mistaken for them.
Some days large baskets of these
fish are caught, as when they
begin to feed they do so raven-
ously, and jostle each other in
their eagerness.

They can be fished for after the
manner of roach, using similar
bait and tackle. In this way they
are taken on the Norfolk Broads,
but the best sport is enjoyed by
fly-fishing for them, using a light
trout rod and fine cast. One who
has experience of this will scarcely
care for rudd bottom fishing. Like
grayling, they have very tender
mouths, and the strike when they
take the fly must be very gentle.
One knows how grayling are lost
again and again by a heavy hand ;
rudd need as careful handling.
A 3 Ib. specimen is a fine fish,
although the average size is about
half the weight. A few large-
sized fish usually figure in a good
basket taken in the Irish loughs.

Trout flies — the usual lake pat-
terns— are the kind to mount,
giving preference to gold-ribbed
and mallard wing. The March
brown, hare's ear, Flight's fancy
will get them. They have a way
of advertising their presence by
moving about in shoals, and when
they follow the fly in this fashion
it is rather distracting; one cannot
go by the break in the water as
indicating a rise, for they are
legion. A steady hand must be
kept on the rod, and a gentle
strike made only when there is a
pull. When they are rising well
the basket at the close of the day
should be a heavy one.

CHAPTER V.

PIKE.

PIKE (Esox Indus).

BRITISH waters hold only one
species of pike. Ichthyologists
have discovered five in America.
They range from the Mascalonge
(Lucius masquinongy), which grows
to a weight of 100 lb., down to the
Little Pickeral (L. reticulattis), that
does not exceed 12 in. in length.
I have caught the cousin of the
latter with the fly, when fishing
for black bass in a lake outlet in
New York State. It was streaked
with numerous dark lines inter-
spersed with lemon-coloured spots,
which gave it the reticulated ap-
pearance from which it derives
its name. Like our own pike, it
was attracted by the silver doctor
intended for bass, and played ex-
ceedingly hard, although not more
than 1 1 lb. in weight. E. incius,
which has no rival species, is a
familiar object in our British
and Irish rivers and lakes. His
long, flat head is eminently
adapted for cutting wedge-like
through the water, with a rapidity
that gives him an advantage over
his unwary prey. It takes up
little space as he lies in ambush.
A small patch conceals it on the
outer border of a bed of weeds, in
the thick of which the rest of his
body lies hidden. He attacks in
short, sharp dashes, swift as an
arrow. The eyes are set high up
in the head, so as to command a
view in front and above him. He
does not possess the power of see-
ing objects at such an acute angle
in the background as other coarse
fish. His shape does not lend
itself to rapid turning, and the

visual powers are adapted accord-
ingly. The dorsal fin is placed so
far back that it lies opposite to
the anal, and both are small com-
pared with the size of the body.
The tail is forked and broad, and
so constructed as to aid in rapid
forward movements. The jaws
of the pike are possessed of enor-
mous strength, the lower pro-
jecting beyond the upper, and
suggestive of bulldog tenacity.
The cubic space of the mouth is
far in excess of any other British
fresh- water fish. It is a frame-
work of bone and cartilage, the
walls so thin as to be transparent.
The formidable rows of teeth
leaning inwards render hopeless
the chance of any victim escaping
that comes within their merciless
grasp. They fall backwards on a
hinge so as to favour easy access
to the throat, and set rigidly
against any attempt at egress.

Armed with such weapons, the
pike must be handled with the
greatest care. Either alive or
dead, one is ill-advised to place the
fingers inside the jaws. A bite
might ensue that would not readily
be forgotten. The fish, after it is
supposed to be killed, keeps open-
ing and closing its mouth. This
is no doubt due to reflex action,
and any touch on the inside of the
mouth is likely to provoke it, and
woe be to the fingers on which
the jaws close ! The gills of the
fish also are very sharp, and
fringed with needle-points capable
of drawing blood.

Pike vary in colour, according
to the season of the year and the
conditions of their habitat. In

Pike.

27

this respect they participate to an
exceptional degree in the advan-
tages of natural selection. They
adapt themselves to their sur-
roundings, mimicking in tint the
changing flora of the river. The
predominant colour of their skin
in the early season is green,
varied with yellow and white. It

of large specimens. The ova are
deposited on weeds in shallows
and backwaters, where they are
not likely to be swept away.
Many large pike are found in
streams and ditches during the
spawning season, and some of
the largest fish lose their lives in
that way. In Ireland a price is

A PIKE POOL ON THE STOUR.

takes an olive shade in winter,
very similar to the colour of the
water-plants, which have by that
time lost all their verdant fresh-
ness. Pike spawn in March and
April, laying eggs which vary in
quantity according to the size of
the female fish. Many hundreds
of thousands mark the prolificacy

put on their heads, in and out of
season, in defence of trout and
salmon. The eggs are hatched
in from a fortnight to three weeks.
The angling season opens in the
middle of June. It may be pointed
out, however, that pike taken so
early are worthless. They are in
wretched condition, and give little

28

The Gentle Art of Angling.

or no play. Genuine pike anglers
leave them alone until August.
From November to February
they are in the pink of condition,
and give the best sport.

And now, having described his
lordship the pike, let us go to the
river-side and consider the various
modes of capturing him. The rod
is an important part of the equip-
ment. In length and weight it
varies according to the taste of
the angler. The material, what-
ever its nature, should be of the
best quality. It is subject to a
heavy strain in casting and hand-
ling a fish, and one cannot be too
particular in making sure that it
is equal to it. In length it varies
from 10 feet to 12 feet. For live
baiting the former is quite long
enough, whatever may be the
material. I have a strong preju-
dice against heavy rods for any
kind of fishing. I do not see the
need for unwieldy weapons ; they
are a burden to the flesh, turning
what ought to be pleasure into
toil. The material is a determin-
ing factor in weight. Greenheart
is the most common timber used
in the butt joint. It is one of the
hard woods, and of extreme specific
gravity. Supplied by a good maker
it is generally carefully selected
and reliable. The butt has to
bear a heavy strain, and must in
consequence be large in circum-
ference. A slight butt is very
likely to split, and a large one is
objectionable from the weight
point of view. Ash is much
lighter, and the straight grain
makes it less liable to split. It is
very pliable, however, and as stiff-
ness in the butt is important for
live baiting it is less suitable.
This is particularly the case
when a heavier wood, such as
greenheart, is used in the middle
and top joints. Bamboo makes
a light butt, and its stiffness,
especially for spinning, throws too

much work on the top of the rod,
when one gets hold of a heavy
pike. Messrs. Hardy Brothers,
Alnwick, supply an excellent split
cane pattern, the " Salmo-Esox,"
which combines lightness with
strength, and is a model of what,
in my judgment, a pike rod should
be. It is 10 feet, and weighs
only 1 8 oz. It is stiff enough to
throw a live bait a long distance,
and works so well down to the
butt as to prove all that could be
wished for spinning purposes. I
have put in several long days
spinning with this rod without
getting tired. The bottom joint
is brought well into play, which
makes all the difference in com-
manding the movements of a fish.
The rod must be fitted with up-
right rings, and large enough to
allow the line to shoot through
with the minimum amount of
friction. The agate-cased rings
on the " Salmo-Esox" admirably
fulfil this condition.

Next to the rod the reel needs
consideration ; it should be large
enough to carry 100 yards of line.
The Nottingham pattern, with a
check that can be put on or off
at pleasure, is largely used by
anglers. There are two methods
of casting, one by drawing off the
requisite length of line, and coil-
ing it loosely in rings at the feet.
As long as the cast does not
exceed the length of line, this is
a convenient method. If it falls
short, the reel is brought into
play, and revolves faster than the
line is paid out ; the result is over-
running, which causes a sudden
check, and shoots the bait off.
Casting from the bank, twigs,
stumps, bumpy ground may check
the free passage of the line, and
cause a similar mishap. The
other method is casting from the
reel. The check is taken off,
and over-running is prevented by
gently using the fingers as a brake,

Pike.

29

and controlling the rate of revolu-
tion. It goes without saying that
this method requires considerable
practice. All the same, there are
anglers sufficiently proficient in
this style of casting, but they
have not learned the art in a day.
Messrs. Hardy Brothers " Silex "
reel is, in principle, the reverse of
the Nottingham. It is adjustable,
so that the normal revolution may
be stiff or easy. A turn of a screw
effects this, in which condition
the reel is silent. A lever is at-

is made of aluminium alloy, ex-
tremely light, which is an advan-
tage to be appreciated in a long
day's fishing. It has an additional
adjustable speaking- check. The
best line for all-round pike fishing
is made of a soft-dressed silk
material. Oil-dressed lines have
a tendency to become sticky,
which is fatal to casting. Hardy
Brothers' New Indian is an excel-
lent make. No oil is used in its
manufacture. For live baiting, a
rub of a paraffin candle is all that

(i) The Archer Spinner ; (2) Jardine's Snap Tackle ; (3) Pike Spoon ; (4) Hardy
Bros., " Crocodile" Spinner; (5) The new Rubber Swallow Tail.

tached which releases the spring,
and the winch runs as freely as
the Nottingham make. In casting,
this lever is pressed by the fore-
finger of the left hand, and the
winch pays out the lines at the
swing of the rod. By this con-
trivance the reel is completely
under control, and the length of
the cast can be easily regulated.
There is no danger of over-running,
and long or short throws can be
effected without entanglement. It

is necessary to make it float.
Messrs. C. Farlowand Co., Strand,
make a special soft-dressed solid-
plaited silk line for spinning and
live baiting, of which I have a
very high opinion. It is smooth
and pliable. I have submitted it
to several tests of heat and wet,
which have made no difference to
its quality ; there was no trace of
stickiness in either case.

It will now be necessary to
describe in detail the various

30

The Gentle Art of Angling.

methods of alluring E. Lucius.
The first and easiest method is
live baiting. For this purpose
a can of bait must be procured.
Dace, gudgeon, and roach may
be used. It is important to
secure the liveliest species. Bait
kept long in captivity lose a great
deal of their freshness. Procure
them direct from the river side,
if possible, as a good playing fish
is more likely to attract his lord-
ship. The bait should not be too
large ; 4 to 5 oz. weight are better

being more certain in quality.
Gimp has a way of deteriorating
without giving notice, and the
least flaw in the over-lapping
wire means a break when a
strain is put on. To this
trace the snap tackle is added,
usually mounted on gimp or fine
twisted wire. The latter should
be of the best quality. Like the
gimp, it has its drawbacks ; any
twist in it is likely to cause it to
snap in two. This is possible,
but not likely in the short length

SILEX" REEL.

than half-pounders. Unless one
encounters a pike running into two
figures, a small bait hooks him
more readily than a large one.
The chances — monsters excepted
— are equally in favour of large
fish taking a medium-sized lure.
Given an appetite, size scarcely
counts. Dace are the best bait;
they are hardier than roach, and
live longer. A leaded swivel trace,
which may be made of twisted
gut or gimp, is affixed to the
running line. I prefer gut as

required. Unquestionably, the
best mount for a live bait is the
Jardine snap-tackle. The smallest
hook of the front triangle is in-
serted in the muscular portion of
the pectoral fin. The second
triangle is similarly placed in
the dorsal. A large float — the
Fishing Gazette pattern is as good
as any — is slipped on to the line
and adjusted to about five-eighths
of the depth of the water about
to be fished. It should be in
size proportionate to that of the

Pike.

31

l>ait. If the float is unduly large,
the dace cannot move about
with any freedom. It should be
small enough for the strength of
the fish to pull it under the water
occasionally, but not so small as
to be kept down for more than
a moment or two. The beginner
will soon learn all that is neces-
sary on that point by observation.
Casting the live bait is done in
the following manner : If a Not-
tingham reel is used, draw off the
requisite length of line from the
winch, and coil it on the bank,
taking care that the space is clear
of anything likely to entangle it.

the left hand is let go, and the
loose coils are carried through the
rings with sufficient momentum
to reach the desired spot.

Casting from the reel, especially
with the " Silex," is a great ad-
vantage. The method of working
it has been already described.
There are places where it is im-
possible to find a clear space on
the bank. Fishing from a punt,
there are so many things likely to
trip up the uncoiled line. The
sooner, therefore, one learns to
throw from the reel the better.

When the bait falls into the
water the line should be paid out

TELESCOPIC GAFF AND REGISTERED SAFETY RING.

Stand sideways to the river. The
butt of the rod should be firmly
set against the hip at an angle of
about 45 degrees. Holding the
line in the left hand, allow the
live bait to hang about 6 ft. from
the top ring. Swing the bait
backwards and forwards a couple
of times. This can be done easily
by the rod in the position de-
scribed. When the bait reaches
the furthest point backwards in
the swing the cast is made by a
swifter movement, which projects
the bait forward. The moment
it is on its way the line held in

to allow it free movement. If it
works in towards the rod, the
slack must be recovered. A
pike's attention to the bait is
shown in the sudden disappear-
ance of the float. The attack is
often so savage that a large ring
is left on the surface of the water
where the float has gone under.
Small jack pull it along for a yard
or two before it disappears. As
a rule, a good fish does not dally
with the bait ; having secured his
delusive prize, he goes off with it
towards his lair. There is a good
deal of spasmodic bobbing up

32

The Gentle Art of Angling.

and down of the float caused by
a lively bait ; it is easily distin-
guished from the run of a pike,
which is shown in the cork going
down to stay. When this hap-
pens, the first thing to do is to
tighten up the line. This is
essential to efficient striking. If
it is not taut, it is more than
probable that an abortive tug
will be given to the bait, which
will not hook the quarry, and
only succeed in scaring him. It
must be borne in mind that float,
lead, and the weight of line make
considerable dead weight. The
strike must be vigorous enough
to counterbalance it, and leave
a sufficient margin over to draw
the hooks from the bait, and
transfer them to the pike. The
hold of the latter will probably
include part of the snap tackle.
It is best to tighten up the line
until there is a slight drag on it,
and the jack's resistance is felt.
That is the time to strike de-
cisively, and hooking generally
follows.

In fishing a hole the near bank
should be tried first, keeping well
out of sight, then further out,
searching every spot in turn to
the opposite bank. Playing the
fish requires tact ; the great thing
is to keep him under control,
letting the winch run when he
plunges, and firmly declining to
allow him to rush into weeds or
foul the line in a bush. When
played out the gaff is brought
into requisition.

I give an illustration of an
excellent gaff made by Messrs.
C. Farlow and Co. It is tele-
scopic, handy to carry, and ex-
tended is 4 feet long ; closed, 16 in.
It can be carried on Farlow's
" Registered safety hook ring,"
which is pinned on the coat, and
is preferable to a strap. It is so
light as to be no encumbrance.
It is made of the finest steel, and

strong brass extensions, which
are rust proof. It will be found
a most convenient and useful
weapon.

If the jack is takeable, it should
be killed, which will expedite the
extraction of the hooks. For
this purpose a gag must be used,
which prises open the jaws.
There are several patterns, " Jar-
dine's," " Bickerdyke's," and non-
descripts which may be procured
at any tackle makers. The hooks
will be probably deep set and far
in ; by the use of a disgorger they
can be easily extracted. The
latter should be 9 to 12 in. long,
so that if the instrument slips off
the hook, the hand may not be
carried against the sharp teeth.

Live baiting is an autumn and
early winter method of angling.
There is not much spinning until
the frosts cut away the weeds.
A little practice in casting is
necessary to place the bait in the
runs between reeds and rushes,
and other spots likely to hold
E. Indus. It is pleasant enough
work on a mild autumn day ; but
it is cold comfort when the winter
blasts cut around one's ears and
almost chill the blood. Then the
more vigorous exertion that spin-
ning affords is preferable.

By means of the paternoster,
places can be fished where live-
baiting and spinning for pike
would be impossible. In the
early autumn months, before the
river is clear of weeds, this is a
deadly method of angling. Pike
lie in weedy coverts at this season
of the year, which serve the pur-
pose of a shady retreat and a
happy hunting ground. Live bait
soon get hung up in the weeds,
and look like dead fish. Pike
do not put themselves out of the
way for anything that does not
show signs of vitality. With the
paternoster the bait is anchored
to one spot, and its movements

Pike.

33

are limited to pirouetting round
the trace. Any open space
amongst the weeds can be fished
with it. It is just on these
open spaces that the jack keeps
his eye, ready to appropriate any-
thing that comes his way. The
anchored bait soon attracts him.
The tackle consists of i^ yards
of strong salmon gut, which is
attached to £ yard of light, best
quality trout gut. To the end
of the trout gut a lead plummet,
\ oz. weight, is added. We
have now a trace of 2 yards in
length. A swivel is placed be-

PUNJAUB WIRE PATERNOSTER.

tween the heavy and the light
gut. To the swivel is attached
12 inches of fine gimp, on which
the live bait is hooked. The
object of the lighter gut is in case
of entanglement. The plummet
is in danger of becoming fast in
roots or other obstructions, and
in the event of a break the fine
gut gives way, and the main part
of the paternoster is saved. A
4-inch dace is a good size for

paternostering. It should be
hooked through both lips, insert-
ing the hook through the lower
first; it lives longer so attached.
Messrs. Hardy Brothers make a
"Punjaub" wire trace, which is
as fine as salmon gut, and ex-
tremely strong and durable. For
paternostering the danger of
kinking, which is one of the ob-
jections to all wire tackle, is not
so likely to arise. The flexibility
of the "Punjaub" is very great,
and it seems almost impossible
to break it.

Now let us look for places by
the riverside, where the pater-
noster may be used to advantage.
Close to the bank there is a
fringe of weeds, and further out
a similar bed. Between these a
clear stream runs. Begin at the
top, and drop the plummet gently
in, until it touches bottom. Roll
up the spare line until everything
is taut between the top of the rod
and the plummet. A slight vibra-
tion will be felt, which shows thai
the dace is working all right in
the water. Remain in that posi-
tion for five minutes, and if there
is no sign of a jack, which is
generally indicated by a more
vigorous drag on the tackle, lift
the bait out, and drop it in a few
yards lower down. In thick weed
cover pike cannot see much that
is not quite in front of them,
and half a rod's length lower
down one may be out of sight
of the wriggling lure. He dis-
covers it in the new position in
the stream, and makes his atten-
tions felt by a vigorous knock on
the line. One must not expect
this to be repeated for a moment
or two, and the wisest course is
to immediately drop the top of
the rod, and let the line go slack.
It is probable that the dace is
caught crosswise in the pike's
mouth, and to strike whilst in
that position is not advisable.

34

The Gentle Art of Angling.

Pike turn their prey head down-
wards before swallowing them,
and further agitation in the line
will mark this process, in all
probability, a few seconds after
the first knock is felt. That is
the time for the angler to assert
his authority and strike, by
sharply lifting the top of the
rod.

not be attracted. They have
their feeding times, when they
emerge in quest of food, in shal-
lower water, where anglers may
be fortunate enough to come
across them. With the pater-
noster, any depth of water can
be negotiated, and to discover a
wriggling bait in the vicinity is
too tempting to be resisted. Very

The Rectangular
Devon.

The " Kidney
Spoon.

The "Ideal
Phantom.

By means of the paternoster
deep holes may be fished where
spinning or live-baiting (which is
adjusted to the average depth)
would not attract attention.
Heavy pike make their lairs in
such places, and unless a bait is
put before their nose they will

big fish have been taken in this
way. By dropping the plummet in
here, there, and everywhere, those
out-of-the-way retreats are sure
to be discovered, and a pleasant
surprise often awaits the angler,
who searches diligently for them.
A longer top should be included

Pike.

35

in the pike rod outfit for reach-
ing out-of-the-way places. The
" Salmo Esox " includes a second
joint 9 inches longer, which is
intended for salmon spinning,
but conies in equally handy for
this method of pike fishing. Long
casts will have to be made ; this
alters the position of the line from
the perpendicular to a slanting
angle, and may sink the bait too

THE " HALCYON " SPINNER.

low in the water. It is easy to
right this by adding an extra
link of gut to the plummet. The
bait will then be adjusted to the
right depth.

Frequent casts are rather severe
on the bait, and reduce its vitality.
It is a good plan, when intending
to search the whole breadth of a
river, to throw a plummet well
out at first, and in moving to a
fresh place to pull the bait nearer
in, without lifting it from the
water. A live bait that seems
exhausted should be replaced by

a fresh fish. A rest in the well
of a punt or a large bait-can soon
restores its vigour.

Closely allied to paternostering
is legering. The tackle is similar
to that used for roach, the trace
consisting of strong salmon gut
or gimp. Immediately below the
leger bullet a swivel is placed, to
which a couple of feet of gimp or
wire, ending in the hook, is added.
The bait is mounted in the same
way as on the paternoster, with
sufficient freedom to work back-
wards and forwards within super-
scribed limits, and in eddies and
at the slack of rapids often a
very good pike is found by this
means. In discoloured water the
leger is an excellent device, as it
takes the bait close to the bottom,
where jack are more likely to find
it. The line is kept taut, and
when his lordship pays his atten-
tion the bullet will be felt dragging.
Any slack would prevent hooking
when the strike is made. It
goes without saying that it should
be vigorous, as the leaden bullet
offers strong resistance.

Spinning is the most scientific
method of angling for pike. It
keeps one on the move, and af-
fords healthy muscular exercise,
which is an additional advantage.
It is essentially a winter occupa-
tion, and is not possible during
the early season except in occa-
sional places. The first essential
to spinning is the clearance of the
river from weeds. In the autumn
the tops of the weeds die off,
but the tough, unyielding fibres
below the surface catch the
flight and obstruct the spinning
of the bait. The effect is loss of
both temper and tackle. A few
days' hard frost rots the weeds,
and after a flood most reaches of
the river can be fished without
obstruction. Of the illustrations
given of spinning tackle on another
page, I have a preference for

36

The Gentle Art of Angling.

Hardy's Crocodile. The Archer
spinner is a good second, but the
large spikes closing on the bait
tear it unnecessarily, and have a
tendency to fly open. This is
not possible in the crocodile ; the
barbed needle that pierces the
sides is fastened by a clip, which
keeps the bait intact.

A small dace makes an excel-
lent spinner. It is bright and

HARDY'S SPOON FOR LOUGH PIKE.

hardy, and, mounted on the croco-
dile, I have killed three jack with-
out having to change it. Grey
mullet sprat, which may be pro-
cured in January and February,
make capital lures for spinning.
They are tough and shapely, and,
with their bright silver sides, show
up well in the water. I have killed
seven jack with this bait in a
short day's fishing. Gudgeon are
also suitable, and are dainty com-
estibles to which pike are partial.
The instructions given for casting
live bait equally apply to spinning.

A short line should be used first,
fishing close to the bank, and cast-
ing across and down stream. Pike
make their lairs under trees and
bushes overshadowing the water.
Such places ought to be carefully
searched. Next mid-stream should
be tried, and, gradually lengthen-
ing the line, longer casts should
be made to the opposite bank.
The bait is made to travel by
reeling in line, a movement which
should not be done too quickly.
A spinning bait is meant to repre-
sent a disabled fish, which turns
over and over in the water. Natur-
ally, under such conditions the
pace is not a rapid one. To
imitate the movement, the winch
should be revolved quickly enough
to keep the bait on the move.
Spinning in rapid water, straight
up stream, the force of the current
will be sufficiently strong to keep
the bait revolving. In such cases
the line should be rolled in slowly.
Across current the pace should be
greater, as the bait has a tendency
to sink. The weight of lead on
the trace must be in proportion to
the size of the bait. In sluggish
pools very little lead is needed.
Many anglers prefer to have the
lead embedded in the bait, and in
very clear water this is advisable.
The crocodile " wobbler" is leaded
for this purpose.

When a pike takes a spinning
bait there is a dead stoppage on
the line. This is so unlike the
way a salmon or a trout takes a
fly under water that the fly-fisher
must be prepared for it. There
is nothing of the sharp jerk that
is given to the fly ; the salmon
dives down with his prey, the
pike closes on it without moving ;
a weed or a log could not be more
impassive. When such resist-
ance is felt, the line should be
tightened by an upward and
firm movement of the rod. The
fish cannot take the bait in his

Pike.

37

mouth without including the tri-
angles; an over-vigorous strike,
therefore, is unnecessary, and
may invite a smash in the case of
light tackle. It will soon be evi-
dent whether the cause of stop-
page is animate or inanimate. If
it is a fish he will soon give a
plunge that will insert the hooks
beyond the barb. The art of
playing him does not require un-
usual skill ; he will no doubt try
to get under a bush or other ob-
struction, and the main business
of the angler must be to defeat
these wiles as best he can. Any
violent plunges can be counter-
acted by allowing the reel to run
freely ; he will soon play himself
out, and be ready for the gaff.

There are many other lures to
which Esox Indus falls a prey. A
spoon is a good bait, especially in
slightly discoloured water. There
are endless patterns, most of
which are killing. I prefer the
pattern silvered on the concave
side and bronzed on the back. A
red tassel, to which a triple hook
is attached, makes it attractive.
Pike have a taste for full war-
paint and feathers. This is a
good river lure, and for lough fish-
ing one of the best that can be
mounted. I have fished some of
the Irish pike lakes, and, trolling
from a boat, took some large fish
with the spoon. For the big
specimens found in such water,
the size of the bait can scarcely
be too large. The water is very
deep in places, and 40 yds. of line
should be let out so as to allow
the bait to sink well. Trolling
along the reed-fringed margin the
spoon was stopped again and
again, precursory to a battle royal
with the sturdy combatants. It
is in these great lakes that the
fighting power of the pike is seen
to best advantage. They have
plenty of sea room and make long
runs, not unworthy of a salmon.

I have never known river fish to
play with anything like their
energy. No wonder, indeed, for
they live in the purest of water,
and trout comprise their staple
diet ! In an autopsy made on a
twenty-five - pounder, taken re-
cently in Lough Corrib, a water-
hen and a shell duck were dis-
covered. This ought to be a
sufficient hint to anglers to use
large baits. The " swallow-tail "
is a good river bait ; it is made of
rubber and of the gaudy type that
attracts attention. At the tails of
swift rapids it has the knack of
finding the whereabouts of an ex-
pectant feeder. All rubber baits
are easily scored with the sharp
teeth of jack, and consequently are
less durable ; but notwithstanding
this objection, the swallow-tail,
unless bitten through, lasts a long
time. The rectangular Devon is
metallic and not open to this ob-
jection. The fins, being set the
reverse way, make the bait revolve
well in the water, and as the hooks
cover the lure at all points a pike
cannot easily escape being hooked
when he snaps at it. Large phan-
toms are now made of horn and
other more durable materials,
and present features of attraction
to pike, which, like all other
terrestrial creatures, have a taste
for novelty.

When sport is slow, variety in
the lures proffered to pike has to
be studied. Another pattern fly
frequently brings a salmon to the
scratch literally. A dry-fly man
changes from duns to wickhams,
and from alders to sedges, and
wisdom is justified of her children.
The wary trout at length falls a
prey to these beguilements. A
parallel' presents itself in the
case of the pike. Though a
voracious feeder, he gives ample
evidence of fastidiousness. A bait
presented in one form goes by
unnoticed, offered in another it is

38

The Gentle Art of Angling.

taken. I have fished the greater
part of a day with live bait, care-
fully searching every likely spot
without being flattered by a single
run. I took the live bait off,
killed it, and mounting it on a
flight began spinning the same
water, and was rewarded by taking
four jack in rapid succession. I
have not the least doubt that
these fish had seen the bait they
took spinning many times under
conditions of helplessness that
made it an equally easy prey. It
was simply the method of offering
the bait that made the difference.
Spoon baits and phantoms are
offered without effect, then a
" halcyon " spinner searches the
water, is seized, and verily the
angler has his reward. Variety
affects preferences. The angler
who has the good fortune to
put something before the nose
of a pike that he has not seen
before, in imitation of fish, fowl,
or good red herring, is very
likely to get on fighting terms
with him.

Pike-fishing with a fly is a
delightful pastime. Wherever a
spoon or phantom may be used
with success, it serves its purpose.
On a hot August day it may be
cast by a heavy trout or a grilse
rod. I have had excellent sport
on the river with the fly. The
pike during hot weather lie close
enough to the surface to be
attracted by frogs, or other water
food worthy of their attention.
I have never been fortunate
enough to get any very heavy
jack that way, which forces me to
the conclusion that big specimens
lie deeper in the water ; but seven
and eight pounders are by no
means unusual. Six inches of
fine gimp should be attached to
the fly, the rest of the cast being
made of salmon gut. I prefer

3 yds. in length. Along the margin
of weeds in deep pools and quiet
eddies the fly may be any moment
stopped, and an exciting piece
of sport enjoyed. It should be
worked so as to travel in short
jerks, a movement well known to
salmon anglers. Under the head
of salmon angling this method of
working the rod will be more
fully described.

Pike play their very best held
by a single hook ; they are of
course handicapped by a mouth-
ful of tackle, and give in much
sooner. Any kind of gaudy pat-
tern suits ; 2/0 and 3/0 standard
hooks are good sizes. The body
should be made of broad silver
twist, packed underneath to give
it bulk, with plenty of golden
pheasant, peacock, scarlet ibis,
and jungle cock mixed in the
wings. Dyed seal fur, fiery brown,
claret and scarlet, forming alter-
nate coils, with the silver twist
running down the body, makes
another good pattern. This fly
must be cast overhand, as in trout
fishing, and there must be no
delay in striking the fish when he
takes it. Good salmon gut lends
itself to firm holding, and, pro-
vided the rod is equal to it, there
is not much fear of a smash. The
great danger lies in the tendency
of the pike to run into thick
weed covering. On no account
must this be permitted. Some-
thing must give way if he buries
himself amongst the reeds. Trust
in your rod and tackle and hold
him well up. He will show him-
self amenable to reason if firmly
handled, and will suffer himself to
be drawn away from the hiding-
place which is his only chance
of safety. In clear water the
strain may be relaxed, and the
issue will be simply a question of
strength versus science.

39

CHAPTER VI.

PERCH.

PERCH (Perca fluviatilis).

To encounter a i j Ib. perch on a
light rod and in a rapid stream is
an event in a lad's life not soon
forgotten. It is probable that the
red worm which allured the fish
was intended for a roach or a
modest gudgeon. I have seen a
youth in such an unexpected pre-
dicament ; his face was blanched,
he was trembling in every limb.
No wonder, indeed, for Perca is
no ordinary fighter. The rod was
bent double, and more than once
the top was dragged into the
water. " Would the fight never
end ? " the face behind the rod
seemed to be asking in its tense
earnestness. At length the striped
sides came to the surface sur-
mounted by a large dorsal fin men-
acingly erect, and a mouth gaping
wide enough to swallow rod and
boy together. " I am the tiger of
the river," it seemed to say,
" touch me at your peril."

An effective swoop of the net
was the answer to the challenge.
The youth, beside himself with the
delight of the prize, plunged his
hand into the net only to with-
draw it bleeding. By means of
the sharp spines of the dorsal fin
the perch had his revenge. This
defensive part of the fish is indeed
a formidable weapon. It consists
of from fourteen to sixteen brist-
ling rays sharp enough to pene-
trate any flesh or fish substance
with which they come into con-
tact. The rays are so arranged
as to allow the fin to open and
close like a fan. Whilst the
fish is alive it is difficult to press

them down, and when released
they fly erect again like a steel
spring. The membrane to which
the spines are attached is thin but
exceedingly tough and not easily
ruptured. A sharp bone covering
the gills is another part of the
perch's armour. With such an
outfit this fish needs careful man-
ipulation. The belief that pike
eschew perch because of its brist-
ling dorsal is an exploded fallacy.
No doubt the prey must be swal-
lowed tail first, but that the pike
has a preference for it, compared
with other baits, I have person-
ally proved. A f Ib. specimen
secured me a 16 Ib. pike in Lough
Conn, Ireland; what lucius' in-
tentions were in the method of
pouching it I had no means of
observing. The appearance of
the perch flatters the pike's taste ;
the vermilion tail and ventral fin,
the golden-brown scales barred
with transverse stripes, and the
iridescent hue that flashes out
from the skin make him an at-
tractive object of prey. His
white flesh possesses a delicate
flavour which the pike likes to
sample.

Perch spawn prolifically in
April and May, laying many
thousands of eggs, which are
strung together and deposited on
water weeds. In this respect they
differ from the Salmonidce family,
which lay their eggs collec-
tively.. The fish run to 5 Ib. or
61b. weight, although the latter
size is rare.

There is a great variety of the
pevcidcz family ; one authority ac-
counts for no less than ninety-five

The Gentle Art of Angling.

Horn Phantom.

Hardy Bros.'
Leaded Phantom.

Rubber Phantom.

Pioneer Hogback

Devon Minnow. Spoon.

Hardy Bros.'
Halcyon.

Minnow
Fly.

Perch.

41

species, widely distributed over
Europe, Asia, and North America.
Most of the species are small.
The pike-perch is the largest
member of the lucioperca family.
The sander (L. sander) is the chief
species, which is found in Russia
and Germany, and grows to 30 Ib.
weight. It thrives in brackish

in habit and appearance. The
L. canadensis, another American
species, is extensively cultivated
in the United States. The "wall-
eyed " pike (L. vitvea) of the great
lakes belongs to the same classi-
fication. It grows to 3 ft. in length
and attains to a weight of 25 Ib.
The North American black bass

WHERE PERCH LIE.

water, and has been caught in the
mouths of Dutch rivers. It de-
rives its name from its pike-like
appearance. The dorsal fin con-
tains from nineteen to twenty-
three rays, and there are eight to
ten transverse bars on the body.
The North American P.flavescens
is very similar to the British tribe

is included in the pevcida family.
It is as highly esteemed for its
sporting qualities in America as
the trout and salmon of our own
water. Dr. Henshall, the author
of " The Book of the Black Bass,"
describes it as " the gamest fish
that swims." Whilst not pre-
pared to endorse this opinion, I

42

The Gentle Art of Angling.

am in a position to vouch for its
fighting qualities, having killed
the species up to 3 Ib. weight with
the fly in America.

Perca labvax is frequently con-
fused with P. fliiviatilis. It is,
however, the sea perch, a distinct
species found in British tidal
waters, and grows to a larger size
and heavier weight than its fresh-
water congener. The only other
species found in England is the
ruff, or pope (Acerina cevmia),

THE OLD MILL POOL.

which is plentiful in the Thames,
Kennet, and other rivers. It is
a diminutive fish, 4 or 5 in. long,
differing from the perch in the
dorsal fin, and also lacking the
distinctive transverse body bars,
the skin being a marble colour,
more like the gudgeon.

A bream rod with a fair spring
in it is suitable for perch bait-
fishing. It is advisable, however,
to have one that can be used
generally. A light spinning rod

will be found useful for all pur-
poses. Worms are a favourite
bait with perch, and no angler
goes to the river without a canis-
ter replete with them. Lobs,
brandlings, and red worms are all
good, and may be tried in turn.
They should be fresh and lively, and
scoured in damp moss four or five
days beforehand. The lob should
be threaded on the hook from the
head downwards, leaving an inch
free at the top and another at the
tail. This is better than looping
it on in two or three places. A
couple of red worms may with
advantage be placed on the hook.
A float is used for this method of
fishing. A plain, slim pattern is
better than a thick, gaudy one.
It offers less resistance in striking,
and is not so conspicuous in the
water. Close to banks near
wooden piles of weirs and in the
slack of eddies are the places to
search for perch with a worm.
The attack of the fish will be
shown in the disappearance of
the float. A moment or two
should be allowed to give time
for the hook to get well within
the mouth before striking. The
gut should be fine, i to i| yards
in length, and of the best quality.
An ink or coffee stain makes it
less noticeable. One or two shots,
10 to 12 in. from the hook, will be
sufficient to keep the bait sunk.
The best line is a light silk
quality, coiled on a check reel.
The float should be adjusted so
that the worm drifts a few inches
clear of the bottom.

In swift water, where the depth
varies, a float cannot be used to
advantage, and legering may be
tried. A leaden bullet, with a
sufficiently large hole to avoid
friction, is placed on the line and
stopped with a shot to prevent it
running down on the hook. An-
chored in this way, the current
lifts the loose end of the gut from

Perch.

43

the bottom, allowing the bait to
sway about in a way likely to be
seen by the perch. The line must
be kept taut, ready for striking, a
moment or two after the bite is
felt. A few heavy shots securely
closed on the gut may be substi-
tuted for a bullet. This prevents
the possibility of chafing, which is
one of the disadvantages of using
a leaden weight, and which not
infrequently leads to trouble.
Both these methods of fishing
can be used, with a minnow for
bait instead of a worm. A fine
round-bend hook is the best pat-
tern for this purpose, hooking the
minnow through the upper and
lower lips in turn. Perch seize
the bait crosswise, and, like the
pike, turn it head downwards.
Sufficient time should be allowed
for this purpose before striking.
Minnows are delicate bait, and
must be carefully dropped into
the water; they should not be
moved about more than is abso-
lutely necessary. Most tackle-
makers keep them in stock, and
the large species are the best. A
small gudgeon is not a bad sub-
stitute, but big perch will not
scruple to take a dace or roach
when it comes their way. A 2lb.
specimen is a fine fish on light
tackle ; it gives exciting play, and
needs careful handling. A free-
running reel is necessary to re-
lieve the strain. Without this
safeguard short work would be
made of fine gut.

Paternostering is the most
popular method of perch-fishing.
It is certainly very deadly, and
can be used in places where a
float or ledgering is scarcely pos-
sible ; any few feet of clear space
among weeds can be negotiated
by this means. The gut should
be of a fine round quality, from
4 to 5 ft. in length, according to
the depth of the water. A plum-
met, to which a finer short length

of gut is attached, is used for a
sinker. A conical shape is better
than a round one, as being less
likely to fasten in the weeds.
Half a foot above the plummet
a 4-in. length of gut is attached
to the trace, above a knot or by
means of a loop, so that it does
not slip down. Fifteen inches
higher up a similar link is placed.
To these a No. 6 hook is tied, on
which different baits are mounted.
A lob worm on the bottom and a
minnow or small gudgeon on the
top are a good combination. Thus
equipped, any likely spot on the
river should be fished. Perch,
like pike, are found in clear
spaces amongst the weeds, and
close to reeds and rushes by the
bank. Eddies near swift rapids
are likely places to hold them.
Under the shade of an overhang-
ing willow is a favourite haunt,
and whenever there is a deep hole
into which food is likely to be
washed, there is the chance of
coming across a good specimen.
Drop the plummet in quietly and
let it sink until it touches bot-
tom, roll up the slack, and await
developments. If the perch is at
home he will make his presence
felt by a sharp pull on the trace.
A moment or two afterwards the
strike should follow by quickly
raising the top of the rod. If
much time is given, he will have
the bait off the hook, as the hold
is very slight and the minnow is
tender mouthed. Lowering the
top of the rod when the first touch
is felt takes off the strain, and
assists the perch in turning the
minnow. If there is no sign of a
bite, the paternoster should be
moved a few feet further up or
down stream. Patience must be
practised ; it will bring its reward
in due time.

Playing a hooked fish needs
care ; he will plunge about vigor-
ously for a while, but with the

44

The Gentle Art of Angling.

resistance of the rod and plummet
he cannot run far, and, aided by
a free winch, there is no excuse
for breaking the tackle or wrench-
ing the hook from its hold.
Whilst mounting a fresh bait the
minnow on the paternoster should
be dropped into the bait can ; the

course, is an advantage. A natural
minnow, mounted on a flight,
stands first in the various forms
of spinning. A fine gut swivelled
trace is required. The swivels
prevent the line from twisting,
and are a necessary provision for
all revolving baits. A perch will

ijL,

RPVA

A WINTER POOL.

short rest will restore its vigour,
it soon dies out of water.

Spinning for perch is the most
scientific method of all. It needs
more skill than any other form of
perch angling. It enables one to
fish parts of the river which
cannot be reached by means of a
float or paternoster. Every cast
covers fresh ground, which, of

often take a minnow moving away
from it in the disabled fashion
which the flight mimics, when it
may not be disposed to patronize
it pirouetting round a fixed point.
There are many descriptions of
flights on which the bait may be
mounted. A Hardy " crocodile "
wobbler is a favourite. It has a
spear, which runs into the body,

Perch.

45

made of pliable metal, which can
be bent after insertion to the
shape required. There are two
triangle hooks ; one fastens in the
side of the minnow, the other
hangs below the tail. The " Pen-
nell " flight has three hooks, a
single that passes through the
lips of the minnow, a triangle
which fastens below the dorsal
fin, giving the necessary twist to
the tail, and a third that hangs
loose. This flight puts a strain
on the bait, and the hold gives
way more frequently than is desir-
able. A lead is attached to the Pen-
nell flight which passes through
the mouth into the body, but it is
not pliable and is only intended
for weight. If a flight of hooks
without a spear or lead is used,
the trace must be shotted to sink
it. Weirs or mill tails and such
places are suitable for minnow
spinning. The lure should be
drawn across the current. Fishing
straight down stream, the force of
the water carries the minnow to
the surface, where it splashes
about, and is more likely to scare
fish than attract them. Com-
mence at the top of the stream,
and cast towards the opposite
side. The force of the current
will keep the bait spinning. When
it comes round towards you, draw
it up through the slack water.
Perch are more likely to be taken
on the sides of the rapid than in
the full strength of the current.
Food washed down is thrown off
into the slack, and in such places
fish are on the look-out. Round
the margin of deep pools should
be carefully tried. When perch
are on the feed they move into
the lighter water, where a wob-
bling minnow is likely to tempt
them. The moment the bait is
stopped the line should be tight-
ened by raising the top of the rod.
The cause will be soon apparent :
if a weed, there will be passive

resistance ; should it be a fish,
active. He is not likely to escape
the array of bristling hooks that
cover the bait ; there is no need,
therefore, for hard striking — it
courts disaster ; a firm tightening
up of the line is all that is neces-
sary. Play your fish steadily,
and don't be in a hurry to land
him. He will come to the sur-
face before he is ready for the
net, in all probability. There are
many fish lost by premature at-
tempts at landing, and not a few
within a yard of the net. If he
happens to be hooked lightly and
not played out, a final plunge at
the last moment is certain to give
him liberty. On the other hand,
a lightly-hooked fish played until
there is not a kick left in him often
finds its way to the basket.

Next to the natural bait come
artificial spinners, of which there
are many patterns. A small hog-
backed spoon is good for rivers.
Rapids are favourite places to use
it, and on the edge of deep pools
it will be frequently taken. The
glitter of the spoon can be seen
where a minnow would not be
noticed. A small Devon is an
excellent bait, and the leaded
pattern sinks well in deep pools.
A phantom is an old favourite.
It is light and can be used in
rapids without getting fast in the
bottom. There are sure to be
deep spots unknown to you where
perch lie, and a phantom sweep-
ing across proves irresistible.

The partiality of perch for
silver-bodied flies is well known
to trout anglers. In fishing Irish
loughs I have taken them up to
i£ Ib. On more than one occa-
sion, whilst playing a trout on the
dropper, or middle fly, the weight
of the rod was suddenly increased,
a perch having taken the leader.
I have sometimes managed to
land both. Fly devices have be-
come a regular part of perch

46

The Gentle Art of Angling.

lures. The "halcyon " spinner is
a fly imitation ; it has a silver
body covered with peacock and
a few strands of scarlet ibis. It
revolves in the water, and its
colour shows up well. For this
description of angling it is best to
use a fly rod, casting overhand. A
spinning rod such as is used for
minnows and leaded traces can
only be used for underhand cast-
ing, and phantoms, halcyons,
and other fly imitations, unless
weighted, are too light for that
method of throwing. A perch on
a fly rod gives good play, and is

worth more, from a sporting point
of view, than one caught on a
heavier rod.

Trolling for lake perch, a larger-
sized spoon is used. It is mounted
on a leaded trace, with a long
line, so that it sinks well in the
water. To effect this the boat
should be pulled very slowly. In
the deep water heavy perch are to
be found. It is well to use fine
gimp on the spoon, as it is not
at all unlikely that a pike may
regard the lure as intended for
his benefit, and appropriate it
accordingly.

47

CHAPTER VII.
TROUT, RODS AND TACKLE.

TROUT (Salmo fario).

TROUT and salmon rank so high
in the estimation of sportsmen
that they are designated "game"
fish. They are the partridges and
pheasants of the stream, and
everything else is relegated to
another and inferior category.
Acquaintance with them justifies
the flattery. The sport they give
and the superior art which their
capture entails make them the
coveted objects of fishermen.
Comparison with other fish found
in British waters can scarcely be
seriously made by anglers ac-
quainted with both. As food and
sport they are unrivalled, but
trout and salmon compared with
each other raise considerable
diversity of opinion as to which
stands first from a sporting point
of view. The question is not
raised here for the purpose of dis-
cussing it, let us be thankful that
we are not compelled to choose
between them, but can addr-ess
ourselves to the capture of both
as opportunity offers.

Trout are classified under diffe-
rent heads : —

(1) The common trout (Salmo
fario}.

(2) The great lake trout (S.
ferox).

(3) The white (or sea) trout
(S. trutta).

(4) The bull trout (S. eriox).

(5) The rainbow trout (S.
iridens).

The white and the bull trout
are included with the salmon in
the migratory family. The rain-
bow is an importation. Of the

non-migratory family, despite the
variety in colour and shape, there
are only two known species of
British Salmonidtf, viz., S. fario,
which frequents the rivers and
streams, and 5. ferox, which is
found in the lakes. The variety
in colour is nothing more than
adaptation to environment. The
common trout is yellow, green,
brown, black, chameleon in short,
varying in tint according to the
nature of the water it inhabits.
In this respect it follows the
order of all creatures with ene-
mies stronger than themselves,
and is endowed with powers of
mimicry by which it may out-
wit them. The rapidity of these
changes is very remarkable. Ex-
periments prove that trout trans-
ferred to a new environment
undergo a change of colour in a
few minutes. The effect is pro-
duced by the fish assuming a tint
that blends with, or is not easily
distinguished from, the predomi-
nant colour of the water. In a
tributary of the Test, a pure chalk
stream, I discovered, after close
scrutiny, trout of a pale greenish
tint, which for some time had
escaped notice. In a weedy
stretch dark-tinted specimens
proved difficult to distinguish
from the trailing weeds amongst
which they poised. Ichthyologists
have wisely ignored tint in classi-
fying the species.

The difference between S. fario
and its congener S. ferox is well
marked ; the following points dis-
tinguish them. The breeding
places of the common trout are
the shallow portions of streams

48

The Gentle Art of Angling.

and rivers. The great lake trout
always choose the lake or the
deep portions of rivers leading to
it for spawning.

The head of the common trout
is smaller than that of the lake
species. This point of differentia-
tion must not be pressed too far,
as the head of the common trout
differs a good deal in different
rivers.

The nature of the spots is a
more important guide. In S.fario
they are single marks; in S.

distributed abroad. They spawn
from the end of October up to
the beginning of February. The
"eye" shows usually within a
month, and the eggs are hatched
in about six weeks. The fry
grows rapidly from the time it
makes its appearance, particularly
where plenty of food is obtain-
able.

Of the outfit for trout, the rod
naturally comes first. There
are three kinds, the fly, trolling,
and dapping rod.

HARDY BROS.' "PERFECT" TROUT REEL.

ferox there is a second and lighter
colour surrounding the crimson
spot.

The tail is an important feature.
That of the great lake trout is
very broad and almost square.
In the other it is narrower in pro-
portion to the size of the body.
The cooked flesh of S. fario is
generally white, whilst that of
S. ferox is almost invariably red.

Trout are found in all parts of
the United Kingdom, and widely

The first is used in the capture
of ordinary 5. fario, the second is
required for the cannibal speci-
mens, which have got beyond
the fly age, and are only tempted
by a minnow or otherwise sub-
stantial bait. The third is em-
ployed dapping with the natural
May-fly and daddy longlegs. The
fly rod preferred by the majority
of anglers ranges from 10 to n ft.
long : the shorter length is pre-
ferable. It is comparatively rare

Trout, Rods and Tackle.

49

now to meet an angler by the
river-side using a rod that exceeds
10 ft. 6 in. For lough-fishing,
where flies and tackle are on a
larger scale, the length used is
from ii to 12 ft. There is really
no reason why a lake rod should
be longer and heavier, except that
it is often required to do double
duty, trolling phantoms, minnows,
&c., as well as casting the fly. A
proper equipment should include
a special rod for this kind of work.

When the breeze is light, the
blow line is not carried forward
sufficiently by a shorter rod, and
the fish are consequently scared.

Trout rods may be further
classified according to the make.
Greenheart, ash, hickory, and
other solid woods form one class ;
split cane another. Greenheart is
the best of the hard woods used
in the manufacture of rods.
One must go to a first-class
maker, however, to obtain reliable

AMATEUR ROD-MAKING.

Quadrilateral section. Octagonal section.

Round section.

The stiffening and the increased
weight are decided drawbacks in
a fly-casting weapon.

A trolling or spinning rod is
usually 9 to 10 ft. long ; the
action is stiff enough to hook a
fish that takes a minnow or
phantom trolled behind a boat.
The speciality of a dapping rod
consists in its length, 14 to 15 ft.
long is by no means unusual.
The object is to keep the dap
well in front of the drifting boat.

quality. The timber is either very

food or very bad. Absolutely
awless lengths and long in the
grain alone give satisfaction. It
is not easy for the most expert to
tell good timber from bad in a
finished rod. Polish has always
been a' deceiver, and silk wrap-
pings cover a multitude of sins !
One is therefore at the mercy of
the vendor. I would advise going
to the best makers and purchas-
ing a rod of the first quality,

50

The Gentle Art of Angling.

whatever it costs. It will prove
the cheapest in the end.

It is a great advantage for an
angler to know how to make a
rod as well as tie a fly ; I intend,
therefore, to deal with both

rod-making. It must necessarily
be limited to rods of solid material.
Anything, therefore, that cannot
be done with half a dozen tools
at a simple bench is outside the
province of this chapter. One

JAM KNOT FOR ATTACHING LINE TO GUT.

Top — Prepared for drawing.
Bottom— Drawn tight.

THE DOUBLE WATER GUT KNOT.

Top — Prepared for drawing.
Bottom — Drawn tight.

branches of this part of the art of
angling. One of the most com-
mon pursuits of the man with a
hobby is amateur carpentering.
This can be readily applied to

result of amateur rod-making is
the better insight it gives into con-
stituent elements. It will soon
be discovered why a rod breaks
without undue strain, why it

Trout, Rods and Tackle.

51

warps and loses its balance. The
plane reveals many things, par-
ticularly the difference between
good and bad material.

Greenheart is undoubtedly the
best wood to try one's hand on.
Quality consists in the weight and
regularity of the grain. If it is
heavy and hard to work the wood
is good, if sappy and it goes into
powder under the plane it is
worthless. Black knots are not
necessarily hurtful ; white ones
are fatal. A little cross grain

8 in. for the splice. The butt-
piece in the rough should be i£in.
in diameter, the top joint ff in.
These thicknesses allow for super-
ficial defects which may be planed
out. The first thing is to plane
the wood quadrilaterally (see
fig.). This must be done with
great care, it is the basis of a
straight rod, and any defect will-
run through all subsequent pro-
cesses. Continue to plane until1
the diameter is reduced to if in..
Next mark off 2 ft. from the butt

THE BUFFER GUT KNOT.

Top— Prepared for drawing.
Bottom — Drawn tight.

material in the butt may not be
serious, but the middle and top
joints must be free from defects.
When the grain runs in opposite
directions it must be planed ac-
cordingly, using the tool with the
grain, not against it.

A spliced rod is the simplest
pattern, as it does not require
brass ferules. This is known as
the " Castleconnell " build. Let
us attempt a i5-ft. grilse rod.
Two pieces of timber are selected
each 8 ft. long ; this allows a clear

and commence from that point to-
plane out the remainder, gradu-
ally tapering the wood, until it
is | in. at the top. The other
joint is similarly treated, the
tapering, however, must be much
greater until the extreme point is
J- in. in diameter.

The next step is to change the
quadrilateral into an octagonal
figure (see fig.). By planing off
the edges of the quadrilateral this
figure is obtained. Again, great
care must be taken in order to

52

The Gentle Art of Angling.

get a true octagonal. The edges
of the latter figure have only to
be planed off to obtain a round
rod in the rough (see fig.).

Instead of working from the
bottom as before, begin now at
the top, to plane off the sharp
edges. The joint must be held in
the left hand and turned round
gradually at each stroke of the
tool. Having treated both joints
in this fashion, the splice should be
made and the balance of the rod
tested, further reductions being
made until the desired balance
and action are secured. I have
made a rod 15 ft. of the scantalon
just given. It has had over twelve
years wear, killed many salmon,
and is in good condition to-day.
It is fuller in the butt than the
typical " Castleconnell," but
plays down to the hand and has
great killing power. The circum-
ference is as follows : Butt (ex-
treme) 2| in. ; 10 in. from bottom,
3^ in.; 5ft. from bottom, if in. ;
10 ft. from bottom, ij in. ; ex-
treme top ^ in.

The rod is finished off with glass
paper, using the coarsest quality
at first and turning the rod round
until all unevenness is removed.
Defects can be detected by twist-
ing the joint between the finger
and thumb from top to bottom.
Next a finer glass paper is used
and the rubbing repeated until a
smooth surface is obtained. Lastly
the rod is French polished. This
is a tedious process, but neces-
sary ; the polish must be laid
on, and rubbed off several times,
using fine glass paper. When the
surface is well prepared in this way
the polish is applied permanently.
Cotton-wool makes a good rubber,
and a drop of boiled linseed oil
occasionally applied will keep it
from sticking.

If the rod is jointed and fitted
with brass ferrules more labour
will be entailed. The important

matter is to fit the brasses on
tightly. The fortunate possessor
of a lathe will find no difficulty in
securing mathematical exactness.
In the absence of machinery the
joint must be rubbed down with
glass paper, and the brasses forced
on ; a rivet will completely secure
them. Shrinking them on is a
more delicate process, and the
plan adopted by professionals, but
I have not attempted it. The
brass should project beyond the
wood so as to make room for the
top ferrule ; this is a matter of
measurement. The wood must
be bored the size of the tongue,
which is the smallest part of the
ferrule that pierces it. A bit and
brace will accomplish this. It is
necessary to hold the joint in the
vice and bore about J in., where
the tongue enters, taking care to
get the centre. The brass can
then be slipped on and the rest of
the depth bored without splitting
the wood.

A very fine drill must be used
for the rivet hole. Mark the spot
with a centre punch and drill until
the brass is pierced, then use a
smaller drill and continue the
boring half-way through the
diameter. Use a brass rivet
the size of the larger hole, and
drive it in three parts of the
diameter. File down the rivet
with care, so as not to scratch
the lacquering.

The rings are next whipped on,
beginning at the butt ; the up-
right case-hardened are the best ;
they must be carried in a straight
line to the top. A piece of cord
fixed on the bench between two
props can be used as a guide. For
a i5-ft. rod two rings are required
for the butt, four for the middle,
and seven for the top. The plate
shows the correct method of
rolling on and fastening the
whipping. The end of the silk
is caught under, and after three

Trout, Rods and Tackle.

53

or four turns the waste is cut off
and the coiling is continued. The
photograph shows the end pro-
jecting, before finishing off. The
last three or four coils are rolled
over a loop of gut or fine wire,
then the end is passed through
the loop, and by means of it
drawn underneath and out be-
tween the coils. Cut off the
loose ends close to the wrappings.
The silk used for this purpose
must be of good quality, and
rubbed over with colourless wax.
Scarlet is the best colour for rods.
The top joints require finer silk
than the butt and middle. The
wrappings are afterwards var-
nished. The top ring is whipped
on with fine copper wire and
finished off with silk. The sides
are filed or planed so as to make
the ring fit closely.

Patent lock-fast ferrules require
no hitches. When the former
cannot be obtained, the hitches
are whipped on with wire and
silk like the top ring. The winch
fittings should be sweated on or
riveted and made to fit exactly.
In these simple instructions and
illustrations will be found the art
of amateur rod-making. A handy
man will have no difficulty in
applying them, and producing a
useful and well-finished rod.

Split cane rods have obtained
well-deserved popularity. They
are dainty but costly weapons ;
like forbidden fruit, they are
" pleasant to the eye," and sooner
or later every angler falls a prey
to their irresistible beguilements.
The method of their manufacture
is expensive, but it must be said
of them that a good sample need
not be repeated in a life-time.
From the soundest portion of
whole canes sections are cut —
hexagonal, octagonal, and non-
agonal, as the case may demand,
and cemented together. The
strength of the combination is

very great, and, given fair play,
practicably unbreakable. It is
delightful to handle a good make.
I am the possessor of a Hardy
Bros.' " Houghton," which I use
for wet and dry fly, on river and
lake ; it is TO ft. long, weight
9 oz., of quick and powerful
action. The way it gets out a
line against the wind and drops
a fly with accuracy is unequalled
by any rod I have ever used.

The makes of trout reels are
legion. The essential thing is
to procure one of good material,
and as light as possible. Great
improvements have been effected
of late years in workmanship.
The old reel of numerous screws
and heavy metal has had its day,
and is replaced by one of few
screws, ball bearings, and lightest
material. The danger of getting
out of order is reduced to a
minimum. My favourite is a
Hardy Bros.' " Perfect," of which
I give illustrations. It is made
of an aluminium alloy, with ball
bearings, 3f in. in diameter. It
carries 35 yards of heavy line,
backed by 50 yards of lighter
material, and only weighs 6 oz.
The check is regulated by a
screw on the rim. A great ad-
vantage is the facility with which
it can be taken to pieces, oiled,
and kept in order. A turn of a
screw with a coin effects this.

For wet fly-fishing a plaited
silk line is the best make, varying
in thickness, according to the lift-
ing power of the rod. Too light
a make cannot be got out against
the wind, nor ensure accuracy in
casting.

The tapered make is the most
suitable for dry fly-fishing. It is
specially oil dressed, so as to
float well and keep the fly up as
long as possible. The Houghton
line, specially made for the rod of
the same name, I have found in
every way suitable.

54

The Gentle Art of Angling.

Another and important part of
the outfit is the casting line. For
wet-fly fishing 3 yards length is
usual. Too much care cannot be
taken in the selection of gut.
Good casting lines can be pro-
cured ready made.

I have found the " Hercules"
brand, which is manufactured by
Messrs. Alcock and Co., Ltd.,
very reliable. One is able, how-
ever, to get the right material
from any of the tackle-makers by
paying a fair price. It is better,
however, to buy gut by the hank
(100 strands) or by the dozen,
and make one's own casts. It is
easy to learn how to tie the knots,
of which illustrations are given.
The strands must be well soaked
in tepid water beforehand. The
best is the double water knot.
The loose ends and main links
must be caught firmly in the
finger and thumb of each hand
and drawn tightly together. Then
each part must be drawn in turn,
holding the opposite link mean-
while. The main links can be
drawn by the fingers, but the
short ends need a pair of pincers,
or — a very useful appendage to
anglers — the teeth. The loose

ends are cut off as close to the
knot as possible.

The buffer knot makes a neater
fastening, and for heavier gut,
especially salmon, is preferable.
It is easier tied when a cast
breaks, as the rest of the gut and
flies have not to be pulled through
as in the case of the double water
knot, I have not found the buffer
knot reliable for trout casting lines,
and do not advise it, although
for salmon gut it is the knot I
always tie. An illustration is also
given of the jam hitch, by which
the reel line is attached to the
casting line. A case for flies is ne-
cessary, of which there are various
patterns. One made of japanned
tin is cork-lined, with ledges, into
which flies can be stuck ready for
use. Another pattern is fitted with
spring teeth on which the flies
are fastened. It is more suitable
for May-flies, alders and such like.
There is a danger of breaking off
the barb in forcing down o and
oo hooks. I have learned this
from bitter experience and advise
feelingly. A creel and landing
net complete the outfit ; a suitable
make of the latter is given in an
earlier chapter on coarse fishing.

CHAPTER VIII.

FLY-TYING.

To know how to tie a fly ought
to be the ambition of every angler,
and by a master of the craft the
best results of river and lake are
achieved. From an economical
point of view, especially to the
salmon - fisher, considerable ex-
pense is saved, and in emergency
a knowledge of the art will save
both time and disappointment.

Anglers not infrequently find
themselves a long cry from a
tackle-shop. A small box of furs,
feathers, and flosses does not
take up much space in one's kit.
Like the sportsman twenty miles
from anywhere and the wrong
cartridges, the Waltonian may
find his stock of flies neither the
right size nor pattern. The fly-
tier, under such circumstances,
will have an advantage over his
brother who is dependent upon
the professional for this part of
his outfit. On one occasion I
found myself in the wilds of
Donegal, five and twenty miles
from a railway station. A state
of consternation prevailed amongst
the anglers who, like myself, had
sought out this remote region in
quest of white trout. The loughs
had run very low, and the stock
of flies contained nothing small
enough to cope with the abnormal
state of the water. A rough-
bodied pattern, locally called " old
leather," was the favourite with
the trout. Letters had been sent
and telegrams despatched, but
none of the tackle-makers could
supply the desired article. For-
tunately I had both small hooks
and the right materials, and half
a day's work enabled me to supply

myself and share with my brothers
in distress.

An amateur fly-tier cultivates
simplicity. It is by no means
making a virtue out of necessity
to add that this is an advantage.
Elaborately dressed flies are by
no means the best killers. Over-
colouring is a common fault. It
is necessary to bring down the
mighty from his seat to make him
practical, and I have known many
a gaudy fly to be denuded of
much of its court dress before
proffering it to a salmon. The
artistic is not always the artful,
and in this, as in a great many
things, summa ays est celave artem.

But the most stimulating con-
sideration to the would-be ama-
teur tier is the pleasure of
killing a salmon on his own fly.
We are all proud of our own
children, even when their consti-
tution consists of nothing more
than fur and feather. They are
to be trusted, too, for the gut
loops have been carefully selected
and tested, and tied to the shank
with the greatest care. Flies tied
by the gross contain many faulty
specimens, as most anglers have
learned to their cost ; the com-
monest of all is defective gut
loops, which the innate conserva-
tivism of local tiers prefer to the
eyed-hook pattern, which in small
flies at least is preferable.

Most anglers eschew fly-tying
under the conviction that the art
is impossible to achieve. I do
not say that it is easy, but it is
by no means impossible. Given
ordinary deftness of fingers, and
the usual amount of patience with

56

The Gentle Art of Angling.

which all anglers are supposed to
be gifted, the difficulties will be
surmounted in the majority of
cases. Practice, too, will work
miracles, and it is encouraging to
notice how each attempt will be
an improvement upon the last,
until there will not be much to
choose between the work of the
amateur and the professional.

Tying depends upon a few
definite instructions, which it is
the object of this article to supply.
They are accompanied by photo-
graphic examples of each stage in
the process, from the unmounted
hook, to the fully equipped fly.
Every tier has his own particu-
lar method, and to him it is
naturally the best. My experi-
ence covers twenty years, and the
flies I have made have a fair
record behind them. There is no
secret in their manufacture be-
yond what is stated in these
pages.

The tier's outfit is simple and
inexpensive. It can be purchased
for a few shillings. A pair of
angler's scissors, watchmaker's
tweezers, and hackle pliers, are
all that are necessary as far as
tools are concerned. For small
trout-flies, vices and other imple-
ments are required. The best
salmon-fly tiers 1 know never
use a vice, and as the examples
I give concern large flies, I con-
fine myself to the essentials. The
principle of tying is the same
whether the flies be small or
large. The hackles, fur, twist,
&c., involve a larger outlay.
Golden pheasant crests, Indian
crow, jungle cock, and suchlike,
are expensive, but when a stock
is laid in the number of flies that
can be made makes the cost per
pattern very slight.

The number of elements in a
salmon fly amount to from fifteen
to twenty-five ; all these from first
to last are tied with a single piece

of well-waxed silk, varying in
thickness according to the size of
the hook. If the thread breaks,
it must not be knotted, but
reattached by one or two coils,
catching the end underneath on the
shank of the hook. Constant
rewaxing is important, especially
where any of the elements, such
as twist hackle or wing, are
finished off. A little turpentine
or methylated spirit should be
used to keep the fingers free from
wax, as the delicate flosses and
feathers are easily stained ; in-
attention to this precaution will
spoil one's best work.

I have chosen the simplest flies
as examples to tie for an obvious
reason ; more complicated pat-
terns may be tried when the
beginner has mastered the prin-
ciples upon which these are built
up.

The orange goshawk is the first
example. In Galway it is called
the goldfinch, in other places the
sun fly.

The hook is held between the
finger and thumb of the left hand,
point downwards, the waxed
thread is attached to the bare
shank close to the end, but leaving
sufficient room for the floss,
twist, hackle, and wings, which
are finished off at this point. In
attaching, the end of the waxed
thread must be caught by one or
two close coils underneath and
drawn tight. If it is an eyed
hook, the thread is attached op-
posite to the point of the hook.
If a gut loop is used, the gut
should be soaked for a few
minutes in warm water, then bent
to form the loop, which projects a
little below the end of the shank
where it is to be attached to the
casting line. The two loose ends
of the gut are laid along the top
of the shank and carried up to-
wards the finger and thumb where
the hook is held. The thread is

Fly -tying.

57

now coiled upwards closely, bind-
ing on the gut until the point of
the hook obstructs the coiling.
This is the point to stop, and the
gut ends are cut off close to the
wrapping (Plate A, i). To keep
the thread tight, coil it four or
five times down the shank ; the
wax will keep it in this position
until it is needed for the next
element. (Plate A, 2, shows this
method of temporary fastening.)

Tag. — Take an inch or so of
fine round silver twist, lay it on
the near side of the hook where
the gut has been cut off, indenting
one end with the thumb-nail
where it is about to be fastened.
Leave sufficient space for it to be
coiled round three times. Now
unwind the thread from the tem-
porary fastening, and, holding it
tight, coil it twice round the twist
where it has been indented, get
the thread out of the way by
coiling it down the shank again,
catch the end of the twist and roll
it three times downwards as
closely as possible, place the third
finger of the left hand on it to
keep it from uncoiling, and with
the right hand catch the waste
end of the twist in the pliers and
let them swing loose, their weight
will keep the twist from uncoiling.
The right hand is now free to
bring back the thread and fasten
the twist on with a couple of
tight coils. Temporary fastening
again. Cut off the surplus twist
close to the fastening. It may
now be said once for all that,
whenever any part is attached by
the thread, the temporary fasten-
ing follows. This part of the
process it will be unnecessary to
repeat.

Take about two inches of light
blue silk floss, straighten it out,
and divide it with the point of the
scissors. Take one of the parts
proportionate in thickness to the
size of the fly, and fasten it to

the side of the hook where the
twist has been attached, coil it
two or three times below the
twist and refasten, taking care
that in this and all subsequent
processes the thread wrapping is
covered over. Cut off the surplus
floss.

Butt. — The butt is made of a
single black ostrich feather. By
holding it up it will be found that
the fibres branch from the central
rib in a V-shape. The feathers
must be placed so that they
branch away from the shank of
the hook, and lie upwards. Strip
off some of the fibres from the
butt of the feather and attach it
by the thread to the side of the
hook. Catch the feather by the
top in the pliers, and, passing the
first finger through the pliers-ring,
coil the feather on the hook a
few times by means of the pliers;
let the pliers swing, and fasten on
with the thread, cutting off the
waste portion.

Tail. — The tail consists of a
golden pheasant crest. The rudi-
mentary is torn off and part of
the white portion of the feather
near the butt. The crest is tied
on the top of the shank, not on
the side, as in the case of other
elements. It must be attached
close to " butt " so as to lean
against it, and curving upwards ;
a glance at the feather will show
the correct side by which it is to
be tied on (Plate B, i).

Body. — The body consists of a
piece of orange floss silk, about
three times the length of the hook.
Unless the fly is very large, the
silk must be divided, and one
portion used. Before attaching
it to the hook, preparation must
be made for the twist that is to
be coiled down the body, and also
the body hackle. The steps to
be taken are as follows : —

(i) Take a piece of broad, flat
silver twist, about twice the

58

The Gentle Art of Angling.

length of the hook, indent the end
with the finger-nail, and fasten
the twist to the near side of the
hook and parallel to it (so that
the other end of the twist inclines
from the shank), and as close to
the " tail " fastening as possible.
(2) Take a dyed golden olive

fastening, taking care that the
stripped side lies close to the hook.
The hackle must incline in the
same direction as the twist. We
have now two elements fastened
almost on top of each other, but
so neatly as not to form a bulge.
Just below these the silk floss to

A.— (i) Gut loop tied. (2) Tag and Imtt. (3) Twist,
hackle and body ready for coiling. (4) Hackle, with
pliers swinging.

cock hackle, cut a small notch in
the fibre near the top of the
feather where it is to be fastened
on. Strip off with the fingers
about one-third of the fibres of
the other side of the hackle so
that the spine is quite bare.
Fasten the feather where it has
been notched over the twist

form the body is attached. In
this case, however, the tie leaves
an end of the floss loose, which
stretches down close to the loop.
The tying thread is coiled round
it and fastens it, and is now in
the right position to secure the
body floss that is about to follow
it. This extension down the

Fly -tying.

59

hook is necessary for padding,
and gives the effect of a fuller
body. The waste ends of the
twist and hackle are cropped
close (Plate B, 2).

A spare finger of the left hand
must be now used to keep the
loose parts out of the way whilst
the body is being formed as fol-
lows : The extreme end of the floss
is taken between the fingers of the
right hand and the rolling on be-
gins. To effect a sheen the hold

must be left for the wings, and
shoulder hackle. The last coil
being made, the floss is fastened
by the thread and the waste cut off.

The silver twist follows next.
It is a matter of taste as to the
number of coils — four to six are
usual ; the twist needs careful
fixing and the thread should be
well waxed at this point, for its
responsibility is growing greater
every moment now.

The body hackle follows the

B. — (i) Tag, tail and butt. (2) Twist hackle and body. (3) Hackle in pliers.

must not be relaxed until the
last coil is made. In this way
all the threads of the floss have
the same tension in them, and
this is the secret of the sheen.
The floss should be tightly rolled
on throughout. The first coil is
made close to the " butt." There
are a number of thread wrappings
of the different parts that have
been affixed at that point, the
floss now hides them. Care must
be taken not to carry the body
down too low on the shank, space

twist, the extreme point is caught
in the pliers, and rolled on with
the weight of the tool to keep it
in its place. The hook is twisted
round, and care must be taken
that the- fibres of the hackle
shape upwards as everything else
does. It follows the line of the
twist, very close to and above it,
until three parts of the body are
covered, then the coils become
closer, and a bushiness is effected
at the finish. Let the pliers still
hold it whilst it is firmly fastened

60

The Gentle Art of Angling.

to the shank by the waxed thread.
The remainder is cut off. (Plate

B, 30

Shoulder Hackle. — This is com-
posed of a feather from a blue
Jay's left wing, and is prepared
as follows : tear away the plain
side on spine, leaving the blue
part intact, except where a notch
is cut close to the top, where the
hackle is to be tied on. Place the
feather on the bench and flatten
out the quill with the back of a
knife, or some other flat instrti-

fibres lie in the same direction as
the fibres of the golden olive. It
must be rolled closely and evenly so
as to present a bushy appearance.
Let the pliers swing and finish it
off with the thread, cutting away
the surplus. (Plate C, 7, shows
the shoulder hackle fastened in
preparation for being rolled on.)

Wings. — When the shoulder
hackle is in its place there must
still be sufficient space on the
shank to take the wings. Plate
C 7, shows this. The Goshawk

C.— (5) Rough body ready to be picked out. (6) Picked out. (7) Hackle
ready to be rolled on. (8) Rolled on and wings partly tied. (9) Right and left
mallard feathers. (10) Wings, tied and trimmed.

ment ; stretch the feather along
the first finger and slit it down
with the scissors, removing all the
pith. The object is to leave as
little of the quill as possible, so
that the hackle may be pliable
enough to be wound round the
hook. Tie on the feather to the
shank, and catching the quill end
in the pliers, roll it on close to
the fastening of the «' body
hackle," taking care that the

wings consist of six golden phea-
sant crests, three rights and three
lefts. There is very little differ-
ence between them, but there is
a difference, and the feathers will
lie all the better if this point is
studied. Tear off the rudimen-
tary feathers.

This is the easiest of wings to
tie, as the feathers are stiff and
will shake into their places with
a little care. A right and left are

Fly-tying.

61

taken and one placed on each
side of the shank and gently
pulled into position by the thread
— one at a time, of course. Two
more are treated in the same
way above those affixed, and so
on until the six crests become a
unit, and comprise the wings.
None of the feathers must be
allowed to straggle, and with a
little practice this can be avoided.
Fasten firmly with the thread
and cut away loose ends.

Horns. — A strand of macaw on
either side, which can be easily
attached.

Head. — Take an ostrich feather
and roll it on in the way des-
cribed for affixing the " butt."
A few neat rolls of thread well
waxed and secured with a knot
which is known as the " whip
finish" completes the fly. This
part is treated with anglers' var-
nish, one coat allowed to dry
before another is applied.

THE ORANGE GROUSE FLY.

As this is an all-round standard
fly for both salmon and trout, I
have selected it for the second
pattern to be tied.

It differs from the Orange Gos-
hawk in the body hackle and
wings only. The tag, butt and
body are similar, and are tied
in the manner already described.

The body hackle consists of an
Irish grouse feather, which is pre-
pared by stripping off the fibres
on the left side half way down.
The fibres do not pull off one by
one like the cock hackle ; a film
of the quill comes away with
them, and when the required
length is peeled off, it must be
cut with the scissors. When the
hackle is rolled on it must be
trimmed in a slant from the
bushy part down to the " butt "
and on a level with it. This can
be effected by a single snip of
the scissors.

Wings. — The wings are mixed
and contain so many parts that
practice alone will bring profici-
ency.

Two toucan breast feathers are
tied on the upper part of the
shank, as close to each other as
possible ; if they slip to either
side they straggle. Two strands
of bustard feathers are tied on the
right and left side of shank, but
not too far down ; one part is tied
where the other leaves off. Two
strands from the right and left
spine of the golden pheasant tail
follow the bustard on the same
principle. Two strands (right
and left feathers) of teal come
next. The top feathers consist
of bronze mallard, a right and
left. The strands must be deep
enough to practically cover at
each side the parts already affixed ;
the right and left join on the
upper part of the shank and look
like one when properly fixed.
Horns and head are tied as in
previous pattern. Plate C, 9,
shows right and left mallard
feathers.

ROUGH-BODIED FLY.

The only part needing detailed
description is the body, which
consists of dyed seal fur, or
similar material. Preparation
having been made for twist and
body hackle, the tying thread
which remains near the butt is
drawn straight and a small por-
tion of the fur is teazed out and
wrapped round the thread loosely,
then the thread is twisted round
and round so that the fur is
coated by it. The process must
be continued until the thread is
embedded" in the centre of the
fur and' becomes a spine to it.
Next roll the thread furred over
down the shank as if it were floss
to the required point, taking care
that it is done evenly. If it has
been evenly distributed on the

62

The Gentle Art of Angling

thread when rolled together there
will no undue lumpiness. The
surplus fur must now be separa-
ted from the thread. It can be
easily slipped down the thread
and got out of the way by the
finger and thumb. Fasten the
body securely on the shank. If
different coloured fur is used, as
in the case of the Butcher fly,
one part must be fastened off
before the next is proceeded with,
the second colour fixed at the
point where the first leaves off,
and in such a way as to hide the
fastening. The twist is now
rolled down over the fur body and
fastened. The next step is to
make the body like a hairy cater-
pillar. The process is simple ;
pick out the fur between the rolls

of twist with a pin, taking care
not to dig too deep, and disturb
the thread. Trim off any unduly
long hairs.

SILVER-BODIED FLY.

When the hackle and twist are
prepared as previously explained,
a piece of floss silk to cover the
body for padding follows. Then
a long coil of plain broad tinsel
is affixed, the floss is rolled down
the shank and fastened, and the
tinsel is treated in the same way,
taking care that the padding does
not show through the joints.
The body twist that follows
should be round instead of flat,
next follow the body hackle,
shoulder hackle, and wings.

63

CHAPTER IX.
TROUT WET-FLY FISHING.

HAVING described the trout-
fisher's outfit, we may now ex-
tract the parts from their respec-
tive receptacles, and spend a little
time in explaining their use. This
is best done practically, but there
are some general principles which,
borne in mind, will be helpful.

The first thing is to become
master of the rod. Begin by
putting it together the correct
way ; the top joint fixes into the
middle, and then the middle into
the butt. If you are detected in
the act of screwing the middle
joint into the butt first you may
be written down an ignoramus,
although many who are nothing
of the kind sin in that way. If a
ferrule works stiffly, you have
more power over it in adjusting
the top and middle pieces first.
It also puts less strain on the
joints. The thickness of the line
must be adjusted to the length
and power of the rod. For wet
fishing plaited silk is best. It
should be light enough to be easily
lifted from the water, and to cast
25 yards with ease. A fairly
heavy line carries better against
the wind, provided always the
rod is equal to the strain. It
should be tapered, so that the
part joining the gut collar corre-
sponds with it in thickness and
does not show conspicuously on
the water.

It is important to learn how to
manipulate a rod. A golf pro-
fessional gives three parts of a
lesson to the art of swinging the
sticks, before allowing the learner
to touch a ball. A similar plan
may be commended with the

fishing rod. Grasp it firmly above
the winch, and, standing erect,
swing it forward and back equal
distances. The forearm only
should be brought into play, the
upper arm held loosely against
the side. If the forearm is lowered
to the position A (see diagram),
the rod will be parallel with the
ground ; if it is raised to c, the
rod will be at an angle of about
45 degrees. This, roughly speak-
ing, is the range the rod covers in
full play. Swung to the full ex-
tent, within these limits, it will
be found that the forearm gains
power as it goes forward, and
loses it in the same ratio as it
goes back. Between A and B it
is strongest, between B and c it
is weakest; B and c are the
points between which the arm
chiefly moves in making casts
within easy range. The mistake
beginners make is using the arm
instead of the rod. To get the
best action, the butt should be
held in almost a fixed position,
and the movement of the forearm
confined to the smallest limits.
Hold the butt firmly and let the
forearm work between B and B1,
allowing the wrist to come well
into play. In this position the
rod works well down to the hand.
This movement must be carefully
practised to become master of
the weapon. In making a long
sweep of the arm between A and
c, the action of the butt will be
confined in the same proportion
as between B and B1. A little
practice with the rod will make
these points clear.

After this the line should be

64

The Gentle Art of Angling.

threaded through the rings, and a
few yards drawn off. To lift it
in preparation for casting the rod
should be held at A1 position. By
a sharp upward movement of the
forearm, between A and B, the line
will be lifted and carried over the
shoulder. Time must be allowed
for it to be fully stretched behind
before casting forward. Then the
rod is brought back to the posi-
tion from which it started with
another sharp movement. The
line should be gradually length-
ened until longer casts can be
made. This is done by pulling
out about a yard at a time from
the reel. In lifting the rod to
re-cast the loose length is drawn
through the rings. After a little
practice the line can be lengthened
without re-casting, a slight upward
movement of the rod being all
that is needed. As the line is
lengthened the difficulties of cast-
ing increase. Instead of falling
lightly on the water, it catches
in the grass behind, or becomes
entangled round the body. Several
things must be understood to
avoid this state of confusion,
which wastes much time and does
not improve the temper.

First, in the backward move-
ment of the rod, sufficient time
must be allowed to let the line
be fully extended. Theoretically,
it should go as far back as it
does forward. Practically, this
is not always possible. In stop-
ping it to cast forward when it is
not quite stretched it cracks like
a whip, snapping off the tail fly
and part of the gut. The prin-
ciple on which a cowboy cracks
his long whip loud as a pistol is
to stop the thong when it is not
quite stretched, and suddenly jerk
it back. This is what the angler
ought not to do, but which he
will do unwittingly. It is good
practice to mount an old line
without gut, and learn how easy

it is to accomplish the cow-boy
trick, and keep on until the line
can be wielded without crack-
ing. With a strong breeze at
one's back it is a simple matter
to make forward casts, the line is
carried with delightful ease, and
the tyro thinks all is going well.
Soon he finds fly after fly crack-
ing off. In proportion to the
ease of casting forward the back-
ward cast grows difficult. The
line is caught by the wind, and
the gut being the lightest part is
blown into the loop, cracks, and

Range of the arm in casting and
working the rod.

sheds a fly each time. This can be
avoided to some extent, although
it sometimes happens to the most
skilful. The plan is to cast back
vigorously enough to counteract
the force of the wind behind and
prevent curving as much as pos-
sible. It does not require much
effort to get the line forward
when the wind is at one's back ;
and if it is curved by the breeze,

Trottt Wet-Fly Fishing.

65

as it will be, despite all efforts, a
gentle forward cast is not so likely
to crack off the fly.

The direction of the wind has
also to be studied. If it is bear-
ing to the left of the body, the
line is recovered from the water
by raising the rod over the right
shoulder ; if it blows to the right,
the rod is brought over the left
shoulder. Attention to this will
prevent fouling, and the fixing of
the flies in sundry parts of the
angler's person, possibly his ear.
To cast the flies lightly, care
must be taken not to let the top
of the rod drop too low. The
secret lies in arresting the move-
ment of the rod. Between B and
B1, for example, let the forearm
be abruptly stopped at B1 in the
backward cast, and at B in the
forward. This movement shoots
the line forward, and allows the
flies to drop gently on the water.
Do not shoot the flies into the
water, but over it. To prove
tempting they should fall light as
thistledown ; any splashing is
likely to create suspicion and
scare the quarry.

To effect the longest cast, the
rod must be held perpendicularly,
and travel in the same plane back-
ward and forward ; any deviation
from the perpendicular means
loss of force. In manipulating a
trout rod the loss is not so per-
ceptible, but with a salmon rod
the difference is soon felt.

In casting against a head
wind, or aslant of it, a good deal
of inconvenience is caused by
the flies catching in the grass
behind one's back. The extra
force needed to get the flies out
under such circumstances en-
dangers the safety of the rod, the
sudden stoppage frequently break-
ing the top or middle joint. The
head wind blows the flies down.
By adopting the steeple cast the
rod is arrested in the backward

movement, so that the flies go
well up and out of reach of
danger. This is one way of
meeting the difficulty, another is
to fish with a shorter line, hold-
ing a good length of slack in the
left hand, and shooting it through
the rings as required. Practice
enables one to get out a long line
this way. It is important to
master the method.

These are the principles of
handling a rod which may now
be applied to wet-fly fishing.
The gut casting line or " collar,"
as it is called, should be 3 yards
long. It will be all the better if
it is tapered, heavier where it is
attached to the reel line, and
growing gradually finer towards
the point. Wet flies are best
tied on gut links instead of being
attached by eyed hooks. They
are neater mounted that way.
The gut is stouter than that
used for dry-flies, and knots are
consequently more conspicuous.
Three flies are generally used,
called the " leader," or " tail," fly
at the end, the " middle," a couple
of feet higher up, and the " drop-
per," or " bob," as it is irrele-
vantly called in Ireland, equi-
distant from the middle. The
links of the two latter should be
attached to the casting line by a
loop above a knot, so that they
cannot slip down (vide diagram).
They should not be more than a
couple of inches, if longer they
soon get twisted round the gut,
and do not swim properly in the
water. The dropper link can
scarcely be too short to bob the
fly properly on the surface for any
length of time without getting
entangled.

Soak- the gut well in water
before mounting, and stretch it
out between the finger and thumb,
so as to remove all creases. This
is a necessary method of detect-
ing flaws if there are any. It is

66

The Gentle Art of Angling.

better for the angler to break the
cast than a fish to break it, and
gut to be reliable should bear a
considerable strain.

In wet-fly fishing one proceeds
down stream, keeping well back
from the water. The flies should
be cast as close in to the near
bank as possible, then further out,

made more line must necessarily
be in the water. The important
thing is to drop the flies yard by
yard down stream, so that they
are noticed by the trout before
several feet of line are trailed over
him. Sometimes he looks at the
leader, smells the middle fly, and
wholly appropriates the dropper.

HOW TO CAST.

Position of the arm in forward action of the rod.

and so on to the opposite bank.
When the line falls on the water,
if there is a current it catches it
and carries it down stream. The
rod, meanwhile, is gradually
raised, so that only the gut lies
on the surface. The less line
the fish are invited to look at the
better. When long casts are

Two or three casts should be
made over likely spots; a trout
refuses a fly half a dozen times,
and then takes it as if unable to
tolerate its intrusiveness any
longer. I have watched him
going through the process. The
appearance of the fly first made
him sway about more vigorously ;

Trout Wet-Fly Fishing.

67

then back away, and return again
immediately ; next he rose nearer
to the surface, and finally pounced
on the fly with a dash of positive
anger. If a trout stirs at all, it
is advisable to stick to him like
grim death. He may have
attempted to take the fly and
missed it, or he may be interested,

indicated by a swirl in the water
made by the tail when the trout
turns back after following the fly
some distance. In that case, put
down your rod and wait for ten
minutes, smoke a pipe, meditate
on the scenery ; do anything but
show the smallest apparent in-
terest in that fish. On trying

HOW TO CAST.
Position of the arm in backward action of the rod.

but suspicious. If you think he
missed the fly, offer it again with-
out a moment's delay ; he is
probably looking round and won-
dering what became of it. The
rise that means business has a
boldness about it that the angler
soon learns to distinguish.

The suspicious rise is usually

again, do not cast immediately
over him, but let the fly show
itself two or three times a few feet
higher 'up stream, then let it
gradually work down to where
the swirl appeared. If he is still
obdurate, change the flies. Put
an alder on the tail, instead of a
March brown, or try and whet his

68

The Gentle Art of Angling.

appetite with the glitter of a
Wickham fancy. If you think
he has an eye on the dropper,
gradually let it down towards
him, jauntily tripping on the sur-
face, as if it had not a care in the
world. Whatever you do, do not
let him see an inch of silk line.
He may have been hooked before,
and be gifted with a memory that
recalls painful associations. If
all these dodges fail, go away for

How to Attach Fly to Casting line.

Top — Loop undrawn.
Bottom — Loop drawn tight.

half an hour, and come back
again.

When he does come, as he may,
with a dash, do not spoil all your
labour by striking so heavily as
to cause a smash. It is easily
done, and probably will happen,
despite the wisest counsel. It is
prudent for one to school himself
against growing heavy-handed.
When one has been fishing for
hours, without stirring a tail, and

dreaming of something totally
different, the sudden dash of a
fish is likely to cause an involun-
tary jerk of the arm fierce enough
to harpoon a whale. Then some-
thing happens, which gives cause
for moments of silent but painful
reflection. If the fish were only
to give us notice that he was
coming, we might be calm ; he
prefers storming our nerves un-
mercifully. Striking from the
winch is one way of counter-
balancing violent action, but it is
not always possible. The left
hand often holds the line, which,
of course, prevents the reel from
immediately unwinding. It is
better to face the vice and deter-
mine not to do it, and to firmly
school oneself against impetu-
osity. A turn of the wrist is all
that is needed, and one can prac-
tise this when fish are not rising,
and make up one's mind to risk
losing fish by not stiking at all
rather than lose them, plus flies
and gut, by violent measures.

When a fish is hooked, the
slack line should be reeled in
until a firm hold is gained by the
rod. This is the first stage in
playing. If well hooked, there is
little fear of losing him. except
by breaking the gut or fly. By
leaving the reel free to run when
he makes a rush this is not likely
to happen, and by keeping him
away from the bank dangerous
obstacles may be avoided. A
little firm pressure will be suffi-
cient to control his movements.
He should be allowed his own
sweet will, except when he tries
to get into mischief; in that case
sterner methods must be risked.
When a trout is exhausted he rises
to the surface and turns on his side.
The landing net should be held
in the right hand in readiness. It
is best to slightly sink it in the
water, and draw him over and
into it. Care must be taken not

Trout Wet-Fly Fishing.

69

to allow the other flies to fasten
in the meshes of the net. A good
many fish are lost in that way.
Never make a dash at a trout ; it
is a certain way of missing him,
and causes a struggle when he
comes to the net again that may
be fatal to the gut.

In swift rapids, which lend them-
selves to wet-fly fishing, the cast
should be made across stream,
allowing the flies to drift round,
gradually raising the point of the
rod, so as to keep the casting line
well stretched. Hold it for a few
moments in the strength of the
current, and let out a yard or two
more line to carry it further down
stream. Trout are on the look-
out for drifting flies in such places.
Then gradually shorten the line by
drawing it through the rings with
the left hand. In that way the
whole of the rapid may be
searched, and patience in due
time rewarded.

In sluggish pools it is well to
put a little life into the flies by
a wrist movement of the rod.
The hand is raised up and down,
which causes the top to sway
gently to and fro. This fre-
quently tempts a fish. Flies
floating down stream do not need
to be worked, but drawn up ; the
movement mimics insects that
are swimming against the cur-
rent. The gut should be raised

sufficiently to allow the dropper to
bob up and down on the water.
An alder or a governor serves well
for this purpose. A March brown
or a Zulu makes a good leader,
and a Greenwell's glory, hare's
ear, or one of the many duns is
suitable for the middle fly. Late
in the everring a coachman or
silver sedge has great attractions
for trout ; but of course one must
study the species of fly that are
about at different months, and
mount facsimiles. On a rough
day big trout often come on the
rise, and a March brown not in-
frequently tempts them : the more
gold twist on it the better. Alders
are blown from the sedges on to
the water at such times, and trout
are on the look out for them.
The angler should be ready to
oblige them.

Lake fishing requires a boat,
and a gillie who knows the haunts
of the trout. Rough-bodied flies,
claret, olives, and orange grouse
are almost universally excellent
patterns. They must be a couple
of sizes larger than those used for
rivers. Where bank fishing is
possible, late in the season, big
fish find their way in towards the
shore, and often give a pleasant
surprise to a diligent angler. Flies
are not worked on the lake as they
are on the river, but simply drawn
along the surface of the water.

70

CHAPTER X.
TROUT DRY-FLY FISHING.

THE dry-fly method of angling
has probably sprung out of a
necessity, viz., how to circumvent
the wariness of chalk stream trout.
It has come into general use of
late years, and on rivers where
fish might be caught by the usual
down stream methods, there is a
preference for offering the fly dry
by votaries of the new cult. In
the Hampshire streams it is the
only way of catching fish. One
might angle for a week with the
wet fly without getting a rise ;
unless it was blowing big guns,
and the time the early part of the
season. One wonders how our
fathers made their baskets in these
streams, which were as clear then
as they are now, and to whom the
science of the dry fly was prac-
tically unknown. Have the fish
grown in wisdom since then, and
is the difficulty of alluring them
the result of education ? There
is abundance of evidence that our
forbears fished down stream, and
wet, and secured excellent baskets.
Several things have to be borne
in mind, which space will not
allow us to do more than mention,
such as the increase in the number
of anglers, the diminution in the
quantity of fish by river pollution,
&c., the freer methods of angling,
worming, spinning, and such like,
which are barred in modern times.
Even old Isaac boasts of his
bottom fishing prowess amongst
trout. These were the methods
practised on streams where to-day
the use of the fly only is permitted.
With such licence it would not
be difficult nowadays to do big
things.

Dry-fly angling is most fascin-
ating. The chief interest lies in
marking your fish, and devoting
exclusive attention to his capture,
regardless of all his kith and kin,
and everything else in the uni-
verse. It is like singling out your
bird, instead of firing haphazard
into the covey ; one catches the
fish aimed at, and when that is
achieved, there is a delightful
sense of one's own importance in
bringing to a successful issue the
plot so carefully laid and patiently
worked out in all its details.

The dry-fly gut cast is generally
two yards long and tapered to a
fine point. An additional link of
gut is added for the most delicate
fishing. These " points " are
sold separately, and the angler
should have a stock in hand ready
for use. For clear light water
the size used is the nearest
grade to drawn gut. If the river
is free of weeds, by careful hand-
ling, a 2^ Ib. trout need not break
one's tackle. Where the river is
weedy or not a chalk stream, it is
well to use a stouter point. The
additional strength of the gut will
be required to keep the Jish out
of the weeds.

Flies o and oo are the sizes
generally used for morning and
afternoon fishing. .In the even-
ing, when sedges and moths are
about, larger patterns may be
mounted with advantage. It is
important to have the best make
of dry flies ; clumsy imitations
will be detected by the trout, and
only succeed in driving them
down. The finest I know are
made by Mrs. Ogden Smith of

Trout Dry-Fly Fis/iiug.

71

Knightsbridge, who has a reputa-
tion for supplying exact colours
and neat patterns. Well-made
flies tell in dealing with shy fish.
One has to pay a good price for
them, but there is compensation
in their alluring powers. The fly
is attached to the gut by passing
the point through the eye and
forming a running knot on the
end. The loop is passed over the
bend of the hook, carried down
and drawn tightly on the shank,
just above the eye ; care must be

procure. Its speciality consists
in its buoyancy. A twisted make
sinks too quickly and drags down
the fly with it. Most anglers prefer
it tapered, but when fishing a long
length it becomes very heavy and
places a good deal of strain on
the rod. After a time the float-
ing power of the line can be re-
stored by a rub of vaseline, of
which two or three coatings
should be applied. This should
be done the day before the line
is used.

THE TEST.
(\ Dry-fly Chalk Stream.)

tiken not to include any of the
hackles. The wings and hackles
are touched lightly with a specially
prepared oil, which increases the
fly's floating power. Any ordinary
rod and reel can be used for dry-
fly work, but there is a special
make, a little stiffer in action than
the usual wet-fly pattern, which
secures accuracy in casting and
getting out the line against a stiff
wind. There is a dry-fly make
of line which the angler must

A pair of wading stockings or
trousers are an advantageous
adjunct. If the river can be
waded, more success will be
achieved by getting in a direct
line behind the fish, and casting
over him. In a swift river this
is almost essential, as in fishing
across stream the line drags and
drowns the fly before the trout is
covered. Waders also secure dry
feet, a point that has to be con-
sidered on the banks of a marshy

72

The Gentle Art of Angling.

river. For kneeling they come in
handy and take the place of pads.
So much for the outfit.

In practice, dry-flyfishing lends
itself to the contemplative mood
more than any other method of
angling. By the riverside there
are the ephemeridse to study ;
trout in awkward places to circum-
vent ; the time the rise comes on
and goes off; the condition of the
water, &c. On the Test, Itchen,
and Avon, one or more species
of the dun family are generally
found afloat, and the first thing
will be to ascertain the pattern,
and mount a facsimile. The
flies vary from month to month,
and one must be supplied with
alders, sedges and moths for
evening use. The time of the
rise varies on different rivers. In
the early part of the season it
comes on in the morning ; later
on, morning and evening. On
portions of the Test there is a
rise the greater part of the day
during June. It is prudent to
spend a day by the river before-
hand and notice what is going
on ; for example, the species of
fly afloat, and mentally marking
the spot where good fish are feed-
ing. Where one has only a day
or two on a choice piece of water,
the time will not be wasted by a
little scouting.

When fishing a river, one
chooses the side of the stream
which the breeze favours. The
place to look for fish is close to
the bank on the windward side ;
the flies drift in that direction,
and the trout follow them. If
the breeze raises a ripple, the
break made by a rising fish is so
slight as to be almost imper-
ceptible. Sometimes the suck of
the fish can be heard where the
break is not seen. A feeding
trout lies close to the surface of
the water, and takes down the
flies with the least possible

movement : a falling seed would
scarcely make a slighter im-
pression.

When a fish is on the rise, a
dry fly must be offered to him in
the most delicate fashion. Any
splashing of the line or gut would
be fatal. The kind of fly on
which he is feeding should be
mounted, and a size smaller
rather than larger. A few pre-
liminary casts should be made
below him to obtain the right
length of line, and the lure
dropped a few inches above his
nose. The closer it is placed to
the fish, the less gut is in
evidence, and it is the gut that
scares, not the fly. If the fly
floats by unheeded, let it get well
clear of the fish before re-casting.
Two or three throws should be
made over him, and if he persists
in refusing it, rest him a few
minutes until he begins to feed
on the natural insect again, then
follow up a drifting fly with the
artificial, and await develop-
ments ; a change must be made
if the fish is obdurate. Here,
again, close observation is neces-
sary. It is frequently discovered
that a feeding fish lets two or
three flies go by him, then rises
and sucks one down. This
generally means that there are
different kinds on the water, for
one of which the trout shows a
preference, probably an iron blue ;
to this kind trout are particularly
partial. One may not be near
enough to tell what the favourite
is, but when trout pick and
choose, it is safe to mount an
iron blue. A hare's ear is another
fly which makes an excellent
change. Trout feeding on olive
duns will rarely let one pass them.

The moment the fly goes under
and its disappearance corresponds
with an unmistakable break in
the water, the fish must be struck.
This is a critical moment for the

Trout Dry-Fly Fishing.

73

angler, and on his sangfroid much
will depend. Firmly tightening
up the line is sufficient to hook
the fish. The moment the trout is
hooked he will go under to fight
it out. The harder he plays, the
sooner he becomes exhausted,
and the more easily will he be
landed. Beware of the last
struggle close to the net, and
keep the reel free to counteract
it. The line and fly after this
submersion are dried by casting
half a dozen times in the air.

the fish that will be seen poising
near the surface. I think one
would be better employed to go
after them than to seek a shady
retreat, and give oneself up to
the contemplation of a novel and
tobacco, a prescription much
commended by some angling
authorities. By stealing along
the bank, or carefully wading,
these possible feeders may be
discovered. You may cover
th'em half a dozen times without
effect, and then fatally tempt them.

THE ITCHEN (CHALK STREAM), ABBOTS BARTON.

Whenever the fly seems inclined
to sink, its floating power is
restored in that way. While the
rise is on, the possibility of sport
continues, and every moment
should be used to the best ad-
vantage. It is the brief harvest
of the angler interspersed by long
and uneventful hours. Between
the morning and evening rise
trout are apathetic. It is possible,
however, to find some of them
with unappeased appetites, and
ready to take the fly. Such are

It does not follow that all rising
fish are capable of being beguiled
by the dry fly. Some are indulg-
ing in the habit known as tailing.
These are trout that lie over or
among weeds, and are feeding on
water shrimp or crustaceans fre-
quenting such places. Their tails
break the water as they assume
almost a perpendicular attitude
in search of their food. But they
rarely condescend to give an up-
ward glance, and it is idle to waste
time over them. Other fish seem

74

The Gentle Art of Angling.

to be busily feeding on nothing.
This conclusion is a libel on their
industrial habits. They are feed-
ing, but on flies so minute that it
takes sharp eyes and a bright light
on the water to discern them. They
are after the smuts, or what are
popularly known as the " angler's
curse." The uncomplimentary
soubriquet explains itself. The
flies are too minute to be imitated
artificially, although the task has
been attempted. To the naked

dry-fly man comes with the May-
fly season. This occurs only once
a year, and on English rivers
lasts from ten days to a fortnight.
Whilst Ephemera danica is up, the
trout feed on it ravenously. Dur-
ing this period stronger gut casts
are mounted, as fish are not so
particular, and nothing but stout
tackle will hold some of them.
There are three periods of the
May-fly season : (i) When the in-
sect is rising in the nymph form

THE BOURNE (CHALK STREAM).

eye they look like coarse black

funpowder, but under the magni-
ying glass smuts show themselves
to be delicately tinted creatures
with finest gossamer wings. I
have a suspicion that trout take
them by the dozen rather than
singly, and the angler's solitary
imitation, many sizes larger, does
not often interest the fish, intent
on a wholesale trade in such
dainties. The smallest wingless
flies are the only patterns likely
to tempt them.

The great opportunity of the

from its bed in the river; (2) when
it reaches the green drake stage,
before it is fully matured ; and
(3) after laying its eggs and drop-
ping helplessly on the water as
the spent gnat. Flies are tied
artificially to represent the insect
in these three stages. When
trout are taking the nymph they
rarely come to the surface. Their
presence will be indicated by big
waves, which are caused by chas-
ing the fly as it rises, popularly
known as bulging. Floating the
fly over fish thus employed is

Trout Dry-Fly Fishing.

75

generally fruitless. The only
way to get hold of them is to fish
up stream with a hackle fly, letting
it sink slightly under the water.
In this fashion it will be taken
for a nymph and prove success-
ful. When the fly begins to lay
its eggs, the trout come to the
surface and lie in wait for the

insect. When the spent gnat
stage is reached the fly proves an
easy prey. It drifts helplessly on
the water, once fallen, never to
rise again. Then trout revert to
deliberate habits and make little
more than a dimple in sucking
them in. During the egg-laying
stage, when the insect trips on

THE AVON.
A Dry-fly Stream.

giddy dancer as it lightly touches
the stream. The dashes made at
it are so sudden as to be very dis-
concerting to the angler, and pro-
vocative of hard striking, with
fatal results. The vigorous dash
of the fish is due, no doubt, to
the touch-and-go habit of the

and off. the water, and is difficult
to catch, there is a disposition on
the part of trout to rise to other
large flies, such as alders and
March browns. When they de-
cline the imago (the May-fly in
its mature form) one of the other
large patterns frequently tempts

76

The Gentle Art of Angling.

them. It is advisable to go pre-
pared with a variety of artificials
and try them in turn. It really
seems as if trout had abandoned
E. danica as impossible, and laid
themselves out for game that was
attainable. I have tried a May-
fly several times over a rising fish,
and he declined it ; on substituting
an alder, he took it the first cast.
On the Irish and other loughs
dapping with the green drake is
a favourite method of angling.
Some very large fish are taken
in this way. The natural ephe-
meridae are collected in wicker
baskets, and one or two are im-
paled on round bend-hooks to
form the dap. Long rods, 14 ft.
to 15 ft., are used, and stout cast-
ing lines. The extra length of
rod enables the angler to get the
dap well in front of the drifting
boat. A gossamer silk line is
used, sufficiently light to be carried
forward by the breeze. A fine
undressed backing line is, in my
judgment, the most suitable for
the purpose. The rod is raised
high enough to allow the dap to
touch the surface, taking care
that only a few inches of gut
show in the water. There is
little art required to float the dap,
one who has never used a rod can
acquire the knack without diffi-
culty. It is simply a question of
raising or lowering the weapon so
as to keep the flies afloat. There
is an art, however, in striking the
fish, not so easily attained. The
important matter is not to strike
when the fish breaks the water,
but when the dap disappears be-
low the surface ; that is the psy-
chological moment, and to wait
so long, only a matter of a second,
imposes a self-denying ordinance
difficult to endure. To catch fish
one must submit to it, otherwise
dap after dap will be stripped off
without hooking a tail. It is
pretty certain that fish make two

bites at the flies offered to them,
one secures the wings and other
external appendages, the next
includes the hook. During the
months of August and September,
the daddy-longlegs is mounted in
a similar fashion to that of the
green drake, and the same rule
about deliberate striking applies.
Fish taken either way play ex-
ceedingly hard, often drawing a
score or more yards of line in a
single run, and giving first-class
sport. Trout 8 Ib. to 10 Ib. weight
are frequently caught during the
May - fly and daddy - longlegs
season.

THE UNDERHAND CAST.

To become accomplished in the
art of dry-fly angling one must
learn to cast the fly in awkward
places. In a ribbon of clear
stream flowing between weeds a
trout may be lying ready to rise
to the fly. Underneath the boughs
of trees the best specimens are
frequently found. To negotiate
such places one must learn the
underhand cast. It is generally
made in a kneeling position, the
rod held nearly parallel with the
stream in preparation for the
throw (vide illustration). The
important matter is to cast under
the boughs without getting hung
up, a double misfortune when it
happens, scaring the fish in the
attempt to get free, and usually
leaving the fly and part of the gut
behind. The line should be drawn
from the reel a few feet at a time,
and the rod kept well down in
making the cast. A short length
can be switched backwards and
forwards without allowing the fly
to touch the water, an advantage
in the case of a dry fly. With a
longer line the difficulties begin,
as the weight causes the fly to
drop behind. To obviate this,
shooting the line must be prac-
tised— that is, a few yards must

Trout Dry-Fly Fishing.

77

be drawn off and shot with a
single throw. Care must be taken
to have sufficient line off the reel
to reach the desired spot ; if it
falls short, the fly has a tendency
to jerk up and become entangled
in the boughs.

For the underhand cast a light
rod and line are helpful. Hardy
Bros, make a three-guinea " Per-
fection " split cane, which is a
delightful weapon for this kind
of work. The lightest make is
10 ft. long, and weighs 7^ oz.

The 10 ft. 6 in. make is about
i oz. heavier. The " Corona "
line, made by the same firm, is
perhaps the nearest thing to per-
fection that has so far been pro-
duced for dry-fly fishing. It is
extremely light, and floats like
seaweed. It carries a long way
without taxing the strength of the
rod. To be well equipped with
a good rod and tackle makes all
the difference to the success and
pleasure of the difficult art of
dry-fly fishing.

78

CHAPTER XI.
TROUT SPINNING AND TROLLING.

FROM the scientific method of
capturing trout with a fly we pass
to the less artistic system of
spinning and trolling. The art
is more easily acquired, although,
like fly-fishing, it has its special
difficulties. Less store is set
upon spinning, because it is a
form of angling that hampers the
movement of the fish, and conse-
quently prevents it from giving
so much sport to the angler. As
a method it is most deadly, only
a small proportion of fish escaping
that are hooked on the tackle.
This in itself is not sufficient for
thinking any the less of it. The
reason must be sought in the fact
that fish that might be taken with
the fly, sooner or later, are fre-
quently captured with a spinning
bait. Under these circumstances
we rank it with pot-boiling
methods. When the conditions
make fly-fishing impossible — that
is, in deep pools and in such
rivers as the Thames, where there
are no shallows suitable for the
fly — spinning for trout is a per-
fectly legitimate method of
angling. Another consideration
that justifies it is the fixed habits
of fish of a certain age and size.
They display distinct apathy to
all surface food ; a lobworm, a
piece of bread, a minnow they will
take, but flies natural and arti-
ficial they seem to have openly
abjured. If they are to be caught
at all, their destruction can only
be encompassed by using some of
these lures. Spinning is the most
commendable way of angling for
them. A strong case can be
made out against this "cannibal,"

as he is called. He is indeed a
disagreeable fellow that declines
to conform to the usages of an
orthodox trout, and throw away
his life on an olive dun or red
quill. Heavy charges are levelled
against him for other vices, real
or imaginary. In his defence,
though I hold no brief for him,
let it be said that once a year he
is disposed to make an exception
in the case of the May-fly, and
one cherishes the fond hope of
getting on fighting terms with
him when he emerges from his
hiding-place, throws off the usual
reserve, and begins to feed on it.
When one meets him, then, in an
unguarded hour, and lands him
after a fight that sets every nerve
on the tremble, one will be dis-
posed to forgive him much and
say a good word in his favour.

Spinning is by no means an
easy branch of the art of angling.
To throw a minnow 50 yards and
land it lightly on the water stands
for proficiency that can only be
gained by long practice. A special
rod, 9 to 10 ft. long, stiff m the
action, is required. The rings
should be large and upright, so
that the line, a fine, soft, finished
make, without any oil in it, can
run freely. The method of
manipulating the rod is similar to
that practised for pike and perch.
A reel of the " Silex " or Notting-
ham make is necessary. The
best bait is undoubtedly the
natural minnow mounted on a
flight of hooks. The single hook
is passed through the lips of the
minnow, the under one first, the
triangles fixed down the side, in-

Trout Spinning and Trolling.

79

clining the bait to a curve, so
that it revolves in the water as if
it were wounded or in difficulties
(vide illustration). The trace to
which the bait is attached con-
sists of if yards of medium-sized
gut of the best quality, and should
have two swivels, to prevent the
line from becoming twisted (the

them to any of the patent sinkers,
as not so likely to attract atten-
tion. To attach the flight, pass
the large loop of the trace through
the small gut loop, and drop the
minnow through the former; pull
taut, and the figure 8 attach-
ment is made. It may be laid
down as a rule that the finer the

DRY-FLY FISHING.
An Underhand Cast.

lacquered pattern is less con-
spicuous than virgin brass), one at
the top link, the other at the
bottom. A loop large enough to
allow the bait to pass through is
formed at one end, a small ordi-
nary loop for attaching the reel
line at the other. A few shots
are required to sink the bait in
deep, sluggish water; I prefer

gut the greater is the chance of
hooking fish, although it may
reduce that of landing them. If
the water is slightly discoloured,
a favourable condition for tempt-
ing fish, a stouter trace may be
used with advantage.

Success in spinning comes by
industry, first in searching each
part of the river where trout are

80

The Gentle Art of Angling.

likely to lie, and secondly by neat
casting and carefully working the
bait. The latter must not be
pulled through the water in a
jerky fashion, but as smoothly as
possible, the rate just sufficient to
keep the minnow gently revolving.

runs you may be sure he is
hooked, and then the reel is
brought into play.

Spinning with artificial baits,
devons, phantoms, and such like,
the modus opemndi is similar as far
as casting and searching for fish

•i

\

HARDY BROS.'

LGoodwin
Spinner.

SPINNERS FOR NATURAL BAIT,

Alnwick
Spinner.

Crocodile
Spinner.

When a trout takes it, a sharp
pull will be felt, very different
from the dead stoppage caused by
a jack. Nothing in the way of a
strike is really necessary ; a quick
tightening of the line should be
the answering movement, keeping
it tight until the hooks take
firm hold. The moment the fish

are concerned. When a fish is
felt there should be a strike or
tightening up of the line imme-
diately. A trout will cling to a
natural bait, but he discovers the
artificial cheat and tries to drop it,
and succeeds in doing so if he
is not leant on quickly. There
are numerous other artificial baits,

Trout Spinning and Trolling.

81

but it is well to bear in mind that
there is nothing so natural as the
natural, and one only falls back on
anything else through necessity or
for the sake of variety.

If trolling needed justification,
one has only to point to the Irish
loughs. There great lake trout
are caught in very deep water,
where it would be useless to fish
with the fly. It is doubtful if
these monsters ever leave the
depths even in the May-fly season.

these haunts. One might troll
for a week in the deep water with-
out stirring a fish, but the man
who makes it his business to study
the ways of these big fellows is
generally successful in catching
them.

The trolling rod should be
sufficiently stiff to hook a fish by
its own resistance, phis the motion
of the boat. A heavy sinker
must be used to get the bait well
down into the deep ; a reel easy

"3*

THAMES FLIGHT FOR NATURAL BAIT.

Top — Unmounted. Bottom — Mounted.

Eight to ten pound specimens
have been taken on the dap, but
twelve to sixteen pounders have
only been caught trolling. The
method differs from spinning in
using a boat and a much longer
line ; bait and tackle are similar.
The deep parts of the lake are the
places where the big trout lie.
They are usually deeps, however,
with sloping banks leading to
shallows, which the fish frequent
in search of food. A gillie must
be secured who is familiar with

in the action, and large enough to
take 100 yards of line — 40 to 50
will be let out in trolling, the
rest may be needed for a long
run made by a heavy fish. Two
rods are generally used, one with
a very small trout or a stone
loach mounted on a Thames flight
of hooks. The other is best
equipped with a natural bait
mounted on a small crocodile or an
Archer spinner. Thus equipped,
the trout has a choice of dishes,
one a wobbling bait, the other

6

82

The Gentle Art of Angling.

GALWAY RIVER.
The Crib White Trout Pool.

LOUGH CORRIB.
A Trolling and Dapping Lough.

Trout Spinning and Trolling.

83

a rapid spinner. It would be
difficult to predict which would
prove to be the favourite — probably
the one that first comes in sight of
a hungry fish. In trolling there
is no need for striking ; the move-
ment of the boat will be quite
sufficient to effect the prelimi-
naries in that operation, the trout
will do the rest. It is best to set
the rods athwart in the boat,
taking care that the reel is in
running order when a fish does
come. The rod should be care-
fully lifted to play him, any jam-
ming of the line with the fingers
will probably mean the snapping
of the gut like packthread and
the perishing of a great hope.
Be calm and collected, and he
will be yours in all probability.
If you do lose him, the sense of
loss will not be intensified by the
knowledge of your own bungling.
Worming for trout is only justi-
fiable where neither fly-fishing
nor spinning is possible. In a
mountain burn in spate one may

have a good time among the
four-to-a-pound speckled beau-
ties. They are usually plentiful,
and in no other way can they be
caught. Worming with Stewart
tackle is a more difficult branch
of the art, and needs a good deal
of practice. The tackle can be
easily procured, which consists of
three hooks tied one above the
other on a gut link. The worm
is impaled in such a way as to
hang in loops, and in this extended
fashion proves particularly attrac-
tive to fario. Low, clear water,
and a hot day are the favourable
conditions to use it effectively.
Waders must be donned and the
angler proceed up stream, casting
as long a line as he can and
drawing the worm through the
water in a sunken fly fashion.
The moment he feels a fish or
sees a break he strikes, and seldom
misses hooking his quarry, al-
though a good many stones and
weeds are likely to be hooked in
mistake for him.

84

CHAPTER XII.
RAINBOW TROUT, BULL TROUT, AND GRAYLING.

RAINBOW trout (Salmo widens) have
been imported from America and
have found their way to England.
They are hardy fish, which pro-
pagate freely and flourish in lakes
and sluggish water, where brown
trout would not thrive. In shape
they are similar to fario, differing
in colour and the fineness of the
spots, which are thickly dotted
over the sides and fins. An iri-
descent hue runs down each side,
which gives the fish a rich and
beautiful colour. It is an ex-
tremely game fish, playing harder
than a brown trout, and in many
respects equal to a white one.
They feed ravenously, and take
the fly under water. They run to
a large size, particularly in New
Zealand, but five and six pounders
are common in England. They
will take a larger fly than farios,
especially if well sunk in the
water. Trolling the fly is a
favourite method of catching
them. They are restless fish,
hard to harbour, often running
down stream for miles and dis-
appearing in the sea.

BULL TROUT (Salmo Eriox).

The bull trout is less known to
anglers than other Salmonida
species. They are similar in
habits to salmon, and are only
found in rivers which the latter
frequent. Their sporting qualities
are different, as they do not take
the fly when they return from the
sea, and are in the best fighting
condition. They rarely fall victims
to any lure, except a bait such as
a lob-worm. After a short sojourn
in the river they will rise to the

fly, and patronize a phantom or
Devon minnow. I have caught
them in the Tees while spinning
for salmon, and although it was
well within the season, they had
grown coarse and unshapely, and
black as shoe-leather underneath,
evidently from lying and routing
in the gravel. In perfect condi-
tion they resemble Salmo salar in
shape and appearance. Their
scales are smaller, and they are
thicker in the neck and shoulders,
and shorter in the lower jaw than
salmon. After remaining in the
river some time, the head changes
to an olive-brown colour, and the
body red or yellowish brown ;
they run from a couple of pounds
weight up to twenty.

They are dogged fighters, their
thick-set shape giving them excep-
tional staying power. One gener-
ally finds them when in quest of
nobler game, which possibly dis-
counts their value from an angling
point of view.

THE GRAYLING.

Everything that has been said
of the modes of wet and dry fly-
fishing equally applies to the
capture of grayling (Thymallus
vulgaris). A good deal, how-
ever, can be said of the fish
itself. Although they occupy the
same streams and feed on similar
food, they differ materially from
trout. The grayling's back is
greenish-brown, and shading off
into grey on the sides. Under-
neath it is a silvery hue. The
head is yellow on the sides, and
spotted black. The pelvic and
anal fins are tinted violet, pec-

Rainbow Trout, Bull Trout, and Grayling.

85

torals yellow, changing to red in
the breeding season. The dorsal
and caudal fins are generally red,
although sometimes blue, with
longitudinal bands or spots. The
cleft of the grayling's mouth is
small, with teeth in the jaw-bones,
palatines and vomer, but none in
the tongue. It is the absence of
bones in certain parts of the
mouth that causes these fish to
break away so frequently ; unless
the hook penetrates a bony part,
it is impossible to hold them.
The dorsal fin is a conspicuous
part of its structure. It extends
far down the back, and has from
thirteen to twenty-three rays.

The grayling is widely distri-
buted over Europe, North and
South America. It multiplies
with great rapidity, growing to a
large size, in south country chalk
streams four pound specimens
being by no means uncommon.
The rivers in limestone districts in
the North, and the red sandstone
areas in Central England, hold
them. Like the roach, they are
unknown in Ireland. The angling
season opens and closes with the
coarse fish generally, as grayling
corresponds with them in breeding
habits. It has rapid recuperative
powers, however, and recovers
more quickly after spawning than
the majority of fish. Two-year-
lings or shetts that have not
spawned are in good condition as
early as June, both in sporting
quality and as a comestible. The
best time to go in quest of them
is when the trout-fishing has closed.
Then they are at their best, wear-
ing their scale-coated armour in
unsullied brilliance, and redolent
of the fragrance of the wild thyme,
from which their name is derived.
The rod, line, and many of the flies
used for trout constitute the ang-
ling equipment. It seems a strange
thing to expect flies on the water
when the frost hangs thick on

the boughs and snow is sprinkled
over the landscape. But flies
there are for a certainty, and
grayling rise to them. It is not
always necessary or practicable
to offer exact imitations, size being
really more important than colour.
There are a few stock patterns
that the angler should be pro-
vided with, such as red tag, Wick-
ham fancy, red ant, and alder. A
score of others could be enumer-
ated, and every experienced ang-
ler has his own favourite list.

Grayling frequent the deeper
parts of the river, or a shallow
close by, on which they come out
to feed. They will take the wet
fly as freely as the dry. Casting
straight across and working round
and down stream is the favourite
method of enticing them. On a
rough day, when alders are blown
on to the river, a big grayling fre-
quently rewards careful fishing,
and will be found close in to the
bank. Wading up stream and
fishing with a dry fly is a prefer-
able method. The best sport that
grayling give is obtained that way.
The taking power of the fish must
not be judged by the brown trout
standard. The latter rarely miss
the fly when they wish to take it.
Grayling miss with tantalizing
monotony. To the tyro this may
seem trifling, but acquaintance
with the anatomy of the fish ex-
plains the reason. The trout poises
near the surface of the water in
quest of fly, and has only to raise
its head to secure the ephemera.
The grayling rises from the bot-
tom, and the wonder is that it
manages to secure the fly as often
as it does. It is provided with a
very large air-bladder, connected
with the dorsal fin, which inflates
by erection and empties by de-
pression. In playing a grayling
the fin can be seen falling over
like a mane as the fish bores
down. When it comes towards

86

The Gentle Art of Angling.

the surface the dorsal assumes the
upright position. In swift water
the grayling's chances of securing
the fly are naturally less. One
must offer it again and again, as
sooner or later it will be taken.
If the hook penetrates a bony
part of the mouth, the fish will
soon plunge into the depths and
begin " boring." This is his
favourite method of defence, fre-
quently chafing the huge dorsal

fin against the gut, and at times
managing to break it. One must
not lean too hard, but firm tension
keeps his head up and is the best
method of managing him. He
makes no sudden leaps out of the
water like the trout, but fights
doggedly to the end, varying the
boring method with an occasional
and unexpected dash, not unac-
companied by danger to the light
tackle.

87

CHAPTER XIII.
WHITE TROUT (S. trutta).

WHITE, or sea, trout are the
gamiest of their kind. To en-
counter a three- or four- pounder
is a delight that it would be
difficult to beat in the whole range
of angling experience.

The habits of the sea trout are
similar to salmon. It belongs to
the migratory family of the Sal-
monida, choosing to spawn in
rivers and lakes, and returning to
the sea, from which it derives the
silvery coat that distinguishes it
from the fario tribe. Confine-
ment in rivers and lakes, however,
alters its appearance in this parti-
cular. I have caught them in
August with the fly in Irish rivers
and loughs almost as red as lake
trout. There are other points of
differentiation important to know
in order to distinguish them from
other species. Fario has two rows
of teeth in the middle bone on
the roof of the mouth, whilst
trutta has only one. The teeth in
this row exceed in number those
of the salmon and the bull trout,
which only have a few on the end
of the central bone. There are
also differences in the fins and
shape of the tail, easily noticed
on comparison. White trout are
known under different names. On
the banks of the Tweed they are
called whitling. In Gaelic nomen-
clature finnock, meaning white ;
herling is another familiar Scotch
title. They are dubbed sewin in
Wales, and in the South, peel — the
most misleading title of all — as the
term generally applies to salmon
before reaching the spawning age.
It is just as well to know what
our friends mean when they use

one of these provincialisms, lest
we go armed with a hand-line and
mussels for some species of sea-
fish, or a heavy salmon-rod and
tackle when peel fishing is the
flattering form of the invitation.

Sea trout run up most tidal
rivers along the Scotch and Irish
coast. They are found in some
English rivers, but not to the
same extent. They show a pre-
ference for light spate rivers, of
which purity is an indispensable
condition. They differ from
salmon in this particular, whilst
the latter keep to the main river,
and travel up stream for miles,
white trout are disposed to leave
the deep water for any side stream
or lake where there is a freshet.
They hang about the mouth of
rivers and in estuaries until a
flood comes, when they run freely.

In heavy water, too dirty for
fly-fishing, a worm is the best bait
to mount. Under the circum-
stances, it is a perfectly legitimate
lure. The run of fish is very
numerous, and there is not the
least fear of exhausting the sup-
ply. They keep moving up whilst
the flood lasts, and if they are not
tempted with a worm in the pea-
soup condition, they will be miles
away by the time the water clears.
Some fine fish are taken in this
way, and the play given on a
single hook and link of gut is very
exciting. A stiff fly rod is the
best weapon to use for this kind
of work, and a trout reel and line.
The fish hug the bank in a heavy
flood, and within a yard of it is
the most likely spot to find them.
Small red worms, scoured for a

88

The Gentle Art of Angling.

BALLYNAHINCH SALMON AND WHITE TROUT RIVER.

SALMON FISHING IN THE SHANNON AT CASTLECONNELL.

White Trout (S. trutta).

89

few days in moss, are the most
attractive. The worm is floated
down stream, tripping on or near
the bottom. A float is not neces-
sary and impracticable, as the
depth varies almost every yard.
The current itself is quite swift
enough to keep the bait floating.

ravenously. Spate rivers clear
rapidly, and whilst still unsuited
to the fly, a blue or brown Devon
minnow or small spoon may be
used to advantage. These baits
are spun in swift rapids, and in
heavier water cast straight across
stream, and worked first down,

CASTLECONNELL SALMON FLIES.
MESSRS. ENRIGHT AND SON'S PATTERNS.

Yellow and Black. Silver Parrot.

Orange Guinea Hen. Black and Orange Goldfinch. Blue Jay.

Purple Goldfinch. Black Goldfinch.

A moment or two should be
allowed to the fish when it is felt,
and the short sharp pull it gives

then .up, against the current. A
trout trolling-rod is the best to
use with reel and trace already

repeated before striking. It is described under spinning.

very rare to miss a white trout if In tidal water, too deep for

it is given time, as they feed flies, trolling from a boat may be

90

The Gentle Art of Angling.

resorted to for white trout. The
best times are the last ebb and
the first flow of the tide. The
boat should be rowed very slowly,
and a line 30 or 40 yards long
let out. A Devon, spoon, or
phantom, are the stock artificial
baits, but natural minnows,

and are good substitutes. The
brightest kind are the most
attractive. In some estuaries,
herring-fry are abundant in the
autumn. They can be seen
breaking the surface of the water
and attracting the gulls. White
trout feed on them liberally. The

GALWAY SALMON FLIES.
MR. JOHN LYDON'S PATTERNS.

Yellow Goldfinch.

Silver Doctor. Puce and Orange.

Black Goshawk. Green and Orange. Black and Orange.

Black and Yellow. Thunder and Lightning.

Yellow Goshawk.

mounted on a Thames flight of
hooks, are preferable. Fresh
minnows are best, but it is not
always possible to procure them ;
preserved can be generally had,

first fish caught will probably dis-
gorge half a dozen. They are as
bright as silver, but too soft for
spinning purposes. They give n
hint to the angler in regard to the

White Trout (S. Irutta).

91

bright baits he should mount.
An eel tail makes an excellent
spinner, and is mounted in
the following manner : File in
half, horizontally, a good-sized
Devon minnow, and having pro-
cured a small sand eel, about the
thickness of the body of the min-
now, cut off 2 in. from the tail ;
peel the skin down about half-
way. Cut off the portion of the
vertebra that has been stripped,
and slip the piece of loose skin,
with the remainder of the tail
attached, on to the Devon and
draw it up to the fin flanges. Tie
the skin tightly with waxed silk.
By means of a Jong needle, a
piece of gut with a triangle hook
attached may be threaded through
the tail, and brought out through
the mouth of a Devon ; the hooks
are fastened half-way up the tail.
Mounted in this way, the tail
spins neatly in the water. I have
taken large white trout on this
bait, and found it deadly when
other lures failed.

Fly-fishing for sea trout is the
most delightful method of captur-
ing them. Some anglers use long
rods, and proportionately heavy.
This is a mistake in more ways
than one. It adds to the day's
labour, and the stiffness leads to
a larger number of fish break-
ing away. This is a common
experience. A pliable rod, 10 ft.
6 in. or ii ft., is the most suitable.
I use a split cane " Houghton,"
and find it admirable in every
way. A reel with 60 yards of
line is necessary, and a gut cast
of medium size and the best
procurable quality. White trout
flies are of many patterns. In a
rapid stream a small silver doctor
or an orange grouse is very killing,
and blue floss bodies with hackle

to match. Claret bodies, with
golden olive hackles, and golden
pheasant frill wings are favourites.
Other good patterns are black
bodies, claret hackle, ribbed with
silver twist, and mallard wings. On
loughs plainer flies do better, such
as rough bodies, claret and golden
olive, with hackles to match, and
mallard wings. Dyed seal fur is
the best material for these flies.
What is known as old leather,
with mallard wings, is very good
in low, clear water. The size of
the flies must be regulated by the
height of the river or lake. When
slightly discoloured, they may be
bigger and brighter. A golden
pheasant crest for the tail, and
jay shoulder hackle, show up well
in such conditions.

White trout angling is down-
stream, and does not give much
opportunity for the application of
the dry fly art, although I have
seen the fish freely taking the May-
fly in a river when I was salmon-
fishing, and unfortunately had no
artificial patterns to tempt them
with. When the fish are on the
rise they are not above taking it
wet, or I believe any other way
in which it may be preferred.
The rise of a white trout is easily
distinguished from a brown. It
is much more aggressive, and
leaves a bigger break on the sur-
face. Three flies are used, and
mounted in the way already
described for brown trout. If the
trout is hooked on the dropper in
lake fishing, the water is gener-
ally sufficiently deep to prevent
the leader from fouling. In
rivers the rapids in which white
trout are found are usually swift
enough to keep the casting-
line well stretched and the flies
afloat.

92

CHAPTER XIV.
SALMON (Salmo solar), RODS AND TACKLE.

WE now come to the king of
fresh- water rivers — the salmon.
Caught in any legitimate way,
he is the angler's greatest prize.
The size to which he grows and
corresponding strength, the mad
rushes and exciting springs he
gives from the water in the fight for
life and liberty, make him facile
princeps as a sporting entity. Sal-
mon spawn in the gravelly beds of
rivers, the fry remaining from one
to three years in the fresh water
before going to the sea. Previous
to migrating they are called parr,
and are marked with faint blue
bars. After this, they become
silvery, the change being effected
by the growth of scales which
marks the smolt stage. The scales
are supposed to be a protection
against the injurious effects of salt
water. Corroboration of this is
found in the fact that the young
fish do not migrate until they
obtain them. They return from
the sea to the river as grilse.
This period of their home-coming
differs, some during the first year,
others after a longer period, and
in greater maturity. The spawn-
ing season is during the months
of November and December, after
which they leave the river as
kelts or " spent " fish. Five or
six months in the salt water
restore them to full vigour, and
with an increase of several pounds
weight, constituting them spring
and summer " clean " fish, which
become the coveted object of the
angler's quest.

Of the various modes of angling
for salmon, fly-fishing is the chief.

The outfit consists of a rod vary-
ing from 15 ft. in length, accord-
ing to the size of the salmon and
the conditions under which one
fishes. As compared with earlier
times, the modern salmon rod is
a much lighter weapon. In the
older books on the subject, 19 ft.
and 20 ft. rods are prescribed.
Seldom, nowadays, is a make
longer than i8-ft. recommended.
I am a strong advocate of further
reform in this direction. A long
experience has convinced me that
the average salmon rod is too
heavy. It may be laid down as a
first principle that the lighter the
rod the better — other things being
equal. An i8-ft. split cane rod,
for example, of the best quality
weighs about 44 oz., the reel and
line 20 oz. more — total, 4 Ib.
This weight has to be swung
backwards and forwards, often
against a stiff wind, three or four
times per minute. Few men of
ordinary build and physique can
do it for half an hour without
getting tired. To continue for a
day, with the usual intervals of
rest, means a backache at the
close. The usual result with the
owners of these big rods is to
resign them for the greater part
of the day to the gillie — patient
beast of burden that he is — and to
take over the weapon to play the
fish when hooked. This means
forfeiting the pleasure — to say
nothing of the credit — of hooking
one's own salmon. The necessity
for using such long, heavy rods
does not arise in nine out of every
ten cases. On broad rivers, when

Salmon (Salmo salar], Rods and Tackle.

93

bank-fishing, an i8-ft. rod gives an
advantage over a i6-ft. In very
swift rivers, such as the Shannon
at Castleconnell, where big sal-
mon have to be held up to prevent
them rushing down-stream and
cutting the gut on the rocks, a
heavy build is necessary. But
such places are the exception. In
the great majority of rivers, boats
are used or the angler wades, and
a light rod is more serviceable.
Assuming that it is desirable to
kill a fish as soon as possible, it
is a mistake to think a heavy
rod will be more expeditious — the
contrary has been my experience.
The longer the rod the thicker
must be the butt, therefore the
less the action of that part. A
light rod, working well down to
the hand, tells far more quickly
on a salmon than a heavy rod,
where only the top and middle
joints are brought into play.

The demand is for lighter
weapons, and rod makers will be
well advised in responding to it.
Messrs. Hardy Bros., of Aln-
wick, has done so by making
a split cane rod, steel centre,
which fulfils admirably the con-
ditions of lightness with efficiency.
It is 16 ft., and weighs only 28 oz.
The weight of a rod of this size
and make is generally 33 oz.
Fitted with a 4-in. " Perfect "
reel and No. 5 " Corona " line,
1 6 oz. 6 drms. must be added.
But the whole weight is only
43 oz., as against 50 oz. — the
average weight of a 16 ft. outfit.
The action of this rod throws the
play on the butt. At the same
time it is by no means whippy,
the middle and top joints having a
power that makes the line cut
through a stiff wind. It is pos-
sible to fish all day long with
such a weapon without turning
pleasure into toil. It is called
the " Connemara," and is well
adapted to the rivers and loughs

in that district. Of greenheart
makes of salmon rod there is a
variety to choose from. The
Castleconnell build is well known,
of which Messrs. Enright and
Son are the principal makers.
These rods dispense with ferrules.
A splice in the centre of the rod,
whipped together, unites the butt
and top. Greater unity is claimed
for a rod which dispenses with
brasses. Be this as it may, they
are excellent weapons, much
thinner in the butt than the
general run of ferrule rods, and
consequently lighter and more
pliable.

Of jointed greenheart rods there
are many reliable makers. The
important thing is to get good
material — greenheart has a way
of breaking in unexpected places.
There is only one reason for this
— defective grained wood. It is
most important to procure a rod
of carefully selected timber. Many
a good day's fishing has been
spoiled by an irreparable accident
to the middle joint, when twenty
miles from a possible remedy. A
reel proportionate in size to the
rod, and 100 to 120 yards of line
are required for salmon fishing.
A commoner line may be used for
backing. Tanned flax line is very
light, takes up little room, and
is reliable. Next comes the
casting-line, which consists of the
best gut, 3 yards long. In grist it
varies according to circumstances.
For heavy spring fish it cannot be
too stout ; for grilse in low summer
water it can scarcely be too fine.

Flies vary in size from 8/0
Redditch standard, which are
4 in. long, down to No. 8, f in.
long (vide illustration). Most
rivers .have favourite local pat-
terns, which it is advisable to
procure when one visits them.
Smaller sizes should be mounted
as the water falls — larger as it
rises. Some patterns are uni-

94

The Gentle Art of Angling.

versally good, e.g., the Jock Scot,
silver doctor, and orange grouse.
A landing-net or, when the rules
of the river permit it, a gaff must
be added to the outfit.

The attendance of a gillie must
be written down among the
essentials. If the fishing is not
from a boat, his assistance is
needed in pointing out the pools,
gaffing a fish, shouldering the
impediments of the angler's out-
fit, and taking his turn with the

rod in the course of a hard day's
fishing. So much depends upon
this item in the programme, that
one must be pretty sure he has
got the right article. An ill-
informed or inefficient attendant
is worse than none ; whereas a
really competent man adds con-
siderably to the pleasures of sport,
and to the weight of the creel at
the close of the day. Hints on
salmon fishing are reserved for
another chapter.

95

CHAPTER XV.
SALMON FLY-FISHING.

HAVING described the equipment
for salmon angling, we now ap-
proach a pool. Two flies may be
mounted if the river is fairly rapid
and clear of weeds ; one is better
if there is danger of fouling. Be-
ginning at the top, the fishing is
pursued down stream. A few
yards of line are drawn from the
reel, and the first cast made close
into the near bank, standing well
back, so that no shadow is thrown
on the river. The top of the rod
is raised when the flies touch the
water, the current catches them,
and they are carried down stream.
A slight movement of the hand
and wrist sways the top of the
rod, causing the flies to swim in
short, sharp jerks. This makes
the wings open and close in a life-
like movement. The action is
accelerated when the line is carried
to its full extent, and the flies
begin to work up against the cur-
rent. In swift rapids the force of
the water imparts sufficient life to
the flies, and very little wrist
movement, if any, is required.
There is something more than
fancy in this action of the
rod. The number of times one
hooks a salmon as the flies are
being lifted for a fresh cast
show that fish snap at a moving
object.

In deep, sluggish water, the flies
are allowed to sink and rise more
deliberately. The arm in that
case moves from the elbow — a
plan that is very effectual in en-
ticing salmon. In this fashion,
yard by yard, the line is drawn
from the reel until the whole pool
is carefully fished. It is a mistake

to hurry over reaches where the
salmon are known to lie. They
should be rested now and again,
and the flies changed. In this,
as in most cases, familiarity
breeds contempt. Salmon, like
trout, have their moods, and the
rise may come on any moment.
If a fish breaks the water, but
does not take the fly, one has to
judge whether he refused it pur-
posely or not. If it has been
missed by accident, such as in
pulling away the fly as he was
about to take it, it should be
offered again without a moment's
delay. The salmon is probably
looking about, and speculating on
its sudden disappearance. Cast it
on the spot where he rose, and in
all likelihood he will not miss it
the second time. If the rise is
a shy one, wait a few minutes.
He may come a second or third
time, in which case a change to
a smaller fly or a different pattern
may bring him up to the scratch.
It frequently happens that a shy
fish that rises and misses in the
morning will take for a certainty
towards evening the moment he
is covered.

The tail fly or leader is, as a
rule, taken under water. There
is no break, but a pull is felt.
Unless it is a short rise, such an
intimation shows that the fish has
gripped the hook. If it happens
in a strong current, where one
generally fishes with a short line,
the strike should be a gentle one,
letting the reel run immediately.
If a long line is out, and the water
sluggish, the strike should be
much harder, followed by tighten-

96

The Gentle Art of Angling.

ing up the slack as quickly as
possible. A salmon needs careful
playing, the first principle of which
is to keep an even pressure on the
fish. The reel does most of the
work, and should be left free to
yield to all the movements of the
captive. In this way the strain is
relieved. Similarly, all slack line
must be winched in, and the re-
quisite pressure maintained. Too
tight a line courts a break ; too
slack, the ejection of th.e hook
from its hold ; keeping the top of

obeisance ! If not, you may part
company with fish and gut and,
possibly, a sound rod. After re-
laxing the strain in this way, the
slack must be recovered by hand
if necessary, and the rod raised
again to the former position. Such
incidents are tests. If the fish is
lightly hooked, there is a danger
of the slack serving his purpose,
and enabling him to rid himself of
the fly. If the line becomes taut
again, it is presumptive evidence
of firm hooking, and stimulates

THE MOY SALMON RIVER, BALLINA.
The Scarift Pool.

the rod over the fish, wherever he
goes, is a good rule, to which there
is no exception. Side strains are
dangerous, and many fish gain
their liberty that way. At the
end of a run, a salmon generally
throws himself out of the water.
This is a critical moment, as the
sudden jerk may break the tackle.
Such lordly springs are worthy of
deference; bow to them by rapidly
lowering the top of the rod. It
will be coupling discretion with

the hope of landing the quarry.
After the lordly spring, the fish
takes it " aisy " for a time. The
most should be made out of this
momentary suspension of hostili-
ties, and the salmon winched in
close to the rod. Firm hooking
having been proved, it is advisable
to lean on him, which is technic-
ally described as " giving the
butt." His object is to rest after
the recent activity, possibly in
preparation for another run. Ap-

Salmon Fly-Fishing.

97

plication of the butt soon tells on
his strength, and keeps him well
in hand. There is quite sufficient
excitement in the play generally
without encouraging these long ex-
cursions, which serve the salmon's
purpose more than .the angler's.
The first intimation of being
played out shows itself in a
golden flash in the water. It is
an unfailing signal of distress,
caused by the fish turning on his
side from exhaustion. At this
stage he will generally submit to

fly is very likely to fasten in the
mesh. Let him alone till he
comes to the top and puts up his
head. In this position a salmon
generally allows himself to be
dragged along the surface some
distance. It is a chance that
should be seized as a favourable
opportunity of landing him. A
mouthful of fresh air seems to
act like a drug, and for the
moment paralyses his energies.
Another way of exhausting him
is to turn his head and bring him

A SALMON POOL IN THE RIVER MAIGUE, ADAIR.

being winched in. If he does not
come to the surface, no attempt
should be made to land him. He
is not ready yet, and plunging the
net under the water is worse than
folly. A clever gillie sometimes
gaffs a salmon in such a position,
and there may be special reasons
for doing so. All the same, it is
risky, as the casting line is in
danger of being gaffed instead of
the fish, and with fatal results.
But no one should attempt to net
a fish under water. The spare

straight down stream. This
movement acts upon the gills, and
sets up a process of drowning.

It often falls to the angler's lot
to have to land his fish unaided.
A gaff in this case is the handiest
weapon. It should be held firmly
with the point turned down. The
fish should be guided up stream so
as to drift back with the current
close to hand. When the salmon
comes within reach the gaff is
passed over, and as near to the
back without touching it as

98

The Gentle Art of Angling.

possible. A sharp stroke will easily
transfix the fish in that position.
If a net is used, it should be first
dipped in the river so as to
straighten out the meshes. The
hoop is slightly sunk in the water
and at right angles, instead of
being laid flat on the surface.
Keeping the salmon's head well
raised, the net is sharply slipped
under it, and then over the body.
One precaution is very necessary,
viz., to have more than a rod's
length of line out, including the
gut cast. With less there is
almost a certainty of breaking the
top of the rod in the process of
landing the fish.

Salmon have many moods for
which the angler must be pre-
pared. One is sulking. Heavy
fish have a way of becoming
stationary after a little play, and
refusing to budge, however much
one leans upon them. Fishing
from a boat, it is easy to get close
to them, and stimulate their
energies by means of the pole. A
sharp knock on the bottom will
generally set them on the run.
From the bank or wading this is
not so easy. Stone-throwing is
tried with doubtful effect. A
split ring slipped on the line and
rattled down to the fish's nose is
disconcerting, and may be tried
provided one does not put too
much store on the value of the
ring. Some anglers drop the
rod and hand-play the fish. This
gives a side pull which cannot be
long resisted. When he does
move he should be well held up
in the water, and gaffed at the
first chance he gives.

Jiggering is another trick of
which some salmon are past-

masters. When hooked, instead
of making a run, as all right-
minded fish should do, they hold
up and tug at the line as a terrier
at a root when scraping a rabbit
burrow. The largest fly will be
torn from its hold if jiggering is
persisted in. It is difficult to
check a fish that adopts this form
of resistance. Some anglers lean
as hard as they dare, others
pursue the opposite course and
give a slack line. The latter
method I prefer, as the tugging
cannot be kept up without re-
sistance on the part of the rod. ^1
have put a stop to it fora moment
or two by the policy of the slack
line, but the moment the rod was
tightened the fish resumed his old
tactics. If a fish is well hooked
in a bony part of the mouth, one
can afford to lean on him. In
slacking off, the danger of running
foul of rocks and weeds in the
pool has to be encountered. A
salmon with his head free does
not take long to get into mis-
chief.

These and other pretty ways of
Salmo salav have to be encountered.
The loss of many a good fish is
sure to follow. Such adversity is
likely to try the temper. I have
known it to affect an angler's
speech, and prompt to utterances
outside the category of polite
language. But a sporting stoicism
is the best to display in such
circumstances. If a fish is lost
through one's own fault, self-
castigation may be salutary ; but
if it is a matter of outwitting his
would-be captor by strength or
cunning, it is only, after all, the
fortune of sport in which the
victor deserves congratulation.

99

CHAPTER XVL
SALMON BAIT-FISHING AND SPINNING.

ANOTHER method of capturing
salmon may be classified under
the head of bait-fishing. The
prawn and worm are the chief
lures. The latter is not to be en-
couraged, save under exceptional
circumstances. When it is used
the lobworm is the best bait,
mounted on a single hook, and
attached to a gut trace. There is
no particular art in this form of
angling, and nothing to learn
beyond what a trout worm-fisher
already knows.

Prawn fishing is a higher art,
and has this to commend it, that
on a very hot day, when salmon
do not rise to the fly, they will
take the prawn. The method of
mounting it on a needle and flight
of hooks, is anything but com-
mendable. In the Shannon and
other Irish rivers, where a large
proportion of fish are caught with
the prawn, no such device is
used. Where salmon are plentiful,
a prawn bristling over with hooks
becomes mischievous in more
senses than one. A large pro-
portion of the fish will be hooked
outside, however careful one may
be, which raises a suspicion of
snatching. Where the river is
rocky the bait will b*e stuck half
its time in the bottom. A i/o
single hook tied on a link of gut is
all that is required. The point is
inserted at the tail of the prawn,
and the crustacean is threaded on
as far as it will go, like a worm.
In this way the hook is com-
pletely embedded. It is then
wrapped round with prawn-
coloured cotton from the head to
the tail. This plan prevents it

from being torn off in casting, or
by the strength of the current.
The point of^the hook does not
protrude, and a salmon may be
touched many times without being
hooked foul (vide illustration). A
gut trace two yards long, leaded
according to the swiftness of the
water, completes this part of the
outfit.

The way to fish is to cast across
stream and let the prawn drift
down, raising the rod high enough
to keep the bait from touching
the bottom. As the prawn works
round, a jerky motion is given to
it by gently pulling the line with
the left hand to and fro through
the rings. A salmon approaches
the bait in different ways, which
have to be studied. At one time
the prawn is pulled so vigorously
that there is no doubt about the
fish having taken a firm hold. In
such a case there is a double tug,
one caused by the sudden stoppage
of the drifting bait, the other by
the movement of the fish's head
after securing it. When this is
felt the fish must be struck as
rapidly as possible, and there will
be little doubt about hooking him.
Another fish snaps at the prawn,
and removes the middle cut ,as
neatly as with a sharp instrument.
Striking means scaring under
such circumstances. It is better
to mount a fresh bait and offer it
again ; the salmon will probably
like the sample, and take a more
liberal helping. Frequently the
prawn is treated like a worm, and
time should be given to the fish.
Two or three slight pulls will be
felt, then the crustacean will be

100

The Gentle Art of Angling.

broken up, and a strike is sure to
affix the hook.

Salmon taken in this way are
not encumbered with a mouthful
of hooks and give the very best
play, a result that cannot be
expected with more complicated
tackle. Besides, less fish are lost
by this method ; that, at least, has
been my experience.

Spinning for salmon is a method
much practised on some rivers.
Most of the spring fishing is done
in that way ; the river in many

and working the lure. The essen-
tial condition to spinning is heavy
or discoloured water. This is
likely to occur frequently during
the season, and if one is not pre-
pared for it much precious time
is lost, and no fish are caught.
There are stages in the coming
and clearing of a flood when
particular baits may be used to
advantage. The first effect of a
spate is the condition known as
rising water. During this stage
the river does not become dis-

GALWAY SALMON RIVER.
Horseshoe Pool and Salmon Ladder.

places being too heavy for the fly.
Large Devon minnows are gene-
rally used, and trolled behind a boat.
This sort of angling requires little
skill, as the motion of the boat
keeps the bait spinning. The
tiace, a couple of yards long,
must be very strong, consisting
of double and sometimes treble
twisted gut, swivelled in two
places. Spinning from the bank
or from a boat is different, and
needs considerable skill in casting

coloured ; although its depth in-
creases from 6 in. to a foot, it
remains perfectly clear. Assum-
ing that the angler is using the
fly, he will have to mount larger
sizes, and possibly different pat-
terns to suit the changed condition
of things. The rise in the water
may be so great that pools are
put out of order for the fly, and a
minnow may be mounted, a brown
or golden rather than a silver
pattern. Later in the day the

Salmon Bait-Fishing and Spinning.

101

first signs of flood colour begin to
show. This is a more favourable
condition for getting fish, and the
Devon should be spun in the deep
pools. As the water becomes
dirtier, a silver pattern should be
substituted for the golden. The
reason for the change will be ob-
vious.

the silver minnow, the rapids will
be clear enough for the glint of the
bait to be seen by Salmo salar,
now diligently on the look-out for
novelties in his new environment.
When the pea-soup stage of the
spate is reached, and Egyptian
darkness encompasses the fish,
there is still a lure that proves

THE PRAWN— MOUNTED AND THREADED.

Too much time should not be
spent in fishing the deep pools ;
salmon will be on the move at
the first taste of the freshet, and
the lighter water, between the
deep pools, is sure to become
resting-places. They will repay
careful attention. Long after the
heavy water is too dirty even for

very deadly ; this is a large spoon
bait. I have heard anglers, in
their eagerness to be emphatic,
recommend one as big as a soup
plate ! I draw the line at one
about 3 in. long, and broad in
proportion. The best make is
golden on the outside and silver
on the inside. Nothing of the

102

The Gentle Art of Angling.

tassel or other appendages which
flatter the taste of a pike should
embellish it. This bait is excel-
lent in deep water. I have proved
its efficiency so often that I strongly
recommend it. There is one ad-
vantage of highly - discoloured
water : it stops salmon from run-
ning. They will therefore be more
disposed to take a bait, a thing
they will not do when intent on
pushing their way up stream. A
big spoon flashing gold and silver
will be seen, and will tempt them
in the muddiest water. Angling
with the minnow and spoon, one
must use a suitable trolling rod.
It is destructive of a fly-rod to use
it for casting a heavy leaded bait,
and it is not the right weapon. I
have lost a great many salmon
with a spoon bait, and attributed
the misfortune to the lack of quick
and firm hooking. The stiffness
of a trolling rod expedites this
operation. One has to strike fairly
hard, and the gut trace must be
strong enough to allow this to be
done with impunity. I have found
a very efficient rod for this branch
of salmon angling in Messrs. Hardy
Brothers' " Salmo esox" It is 10 ft.
9 in. long, and weighs only 17^ oz.
It has a specially long spare top
for salmon, and, mounted with a
" Silex " reel, casts a very long
line. I have obtained a complete
mastery over a heavy salmon,
hooked on a prawn with this
weapon, in a swift and difficult
river.

On the clearing of a spate one

gets back to the flies as soon as
possible. Fresh fish will have
moved up, and old stagers will be
stimulated into a more taking
mood. The heavy pools will still
be unsuitable for anything but a
spinning bait. The lighter water,
however, will be in order for the
fly. A good deal will depend on
the patterns mounted. Bright
colours will do best. Contrasts
such as a black body ribbed with
broad silver twist show well in
discoloured water. Jungle cock,
close to the head on the outside
of the wings, and plenty of golden
pheasant crests are the dressings
that will give the best account of
themselves as the river falls. I
have a favourite fly, which has
invariably attracted a fish or two
under such conditions, called the
dyed guinea-hen. Tag : blue silk
floss, and two rolls fine silver
twist. Tail : g.p. crest, jungle
cock, and black ostrich herl.
Body : orange floss ribbed with
broad silver twist. Hackle : dyed
guinea-hen. Shoulder : blue jay.
Wings : a mixture of bronze mal-
lard, golden pheasant, teal, jungle
cock, and macaw. Head : black
ostrich. The guinea-fowl hackle
is dyed in a cupful of turmeric,
to which a small quantity of
saffron is added. A preference
should be given to the feathers
with small spots. Fishing with
this I have rarely had to wait
long for a tight line, an enjoy-
ment I heartily wish to all my
readers.

INDEX.

Alder fly, 10, 85
Alexandra fly, 10
American black bass, 41
,, rock bass, II
Angler's "curse," 74
Angling a recreation, I, 2

„ and golf, i

,, medical opinion on, I, 2
Archer spinner, 36, 81
Avon (the Hampshire), 72

Barbel, appearance of, 17

,, baits for, 18

,, bite of, 1 8

,, ground bait, 18, 19

,, habits of, 17, 1 8

,, legering for, 1 8

,, net for, 19

„ rod, 18

,, sporting quality of, 17

,, striking, 18

,, tackle, 18, 19
Bickerdyke gag, 32

" Book of the Black Bass " (Henshall's), 41
Bourne End, 18
Bream, baits for, 14

,, bite of, distinguished from barbel, 16

,, description of, 14

,, distribution of, 14

,, ground bait for, 14, 15

,, habits of, 14
legering for, 17

,, rod, 15, 17

,, spawning season, 14

,, species of, 14

., striking of, 16, 17

„ tackle, 15, 17
Bull trout, 84

,, appearance of, 84

,, habits of, 84

,, spinning for, 84

,, sporting qualities of, 84

Carp, baits for, 23

description of, 23

ground bait, 23, 25

how to circumvent, 24

rod, 24

wariness of, 23
Casting with trout rod, 63 — 65
Cast-making, 54

Castleconnell rods, 51, 52, 93
Chub, baits for, 12, 13

description of, 9, 10

flies, 10, n

fly-fishing for, 10 — 12

haunts of, lo, 1 1

rod, 10

tackle, 12
Coachman fly, 9, 10
Conn Lough, 39

Connemara salmon rod (Hardy's), 93
Corrib, Lough, 37
Crocodile spinner (Hardy's), 36, 81

,, " wobbler" (Hardy's), 36, 44

Dace, 8, 33, 36

„ as live bait, 30, 33
,, dapping for, 9

flies, 9

fly-fishing for, 9

haunts of, 8

rods, 8, 9

tackle, 9
Daddy-long-legs, 48, 76
Dapping, 9, 76, 81

Devon minnow, 37, 45, 84, 89, 90,91, 100
Donegal, 55

Dry-fly fishing, 37, 53, 74
Dun fly, 9
Dyed guinea-hen fly, 102

„ „ how to tie, 102

Eel and otter, 22
,, tail, 91

Flies for brown trout, 67, 69, 70, 74

,, chub, 10, ii

„ dace, 9

„ grayling, 85

„ pike, 38

,, rudd, 25

„ salmon, 93, 94, 102

,, white trout, 91
Flight's fancy fly, 25
Flight, Pennell, The, 45
Fly-tying, 55—62

Gaff for pike, 32

„ salmon, 94, 97
,, telescopic, Messrs. C. Farlow
and Co.'s, 32

104

Index.

Gaffing salmon, 97, 98

Gag, for pike, Bickerdyke's, 32

,, Jardine's, 32
Galway, 56
Gillie, 92, 94, 97
Grayling, boring habits of, 86
,, description of, 84-85
,, distribution of, 85

flies, 85

,, playing of, 85
,, rise of, 85
shett's, 85

,, sporting qualities of, 85, 86
,, wild thyme, smell of, 85
Grey mullet sprat for pike, 36
Grilse, 92, 93, 94
Ground bait preparation, 4
surfeit of, 4
time to, 4
Gudgeon as live bait, 4, 30, 43
baits for, 3
description of, 3
habits of, 3
on barbel swim, 3
rake for, 3
rod, 3
tackle, 3
Guinea rod (Hardy's), 4
Gut, 54
Gut-casting line, 54

for clear light water, 70
,, heavy water, 70
knots, 50, 54
points, 70
soaking, 65

Halcyon spinner (Hardy's), 38, 46

Hardy Bros., Messrs., new Indian line, 29

Hare's ear fly, 25

" Hercules " gut cast, 54

Houghton fly rod, 53, 91

Houghton rod and line (Hardy's), 53, 91

How to cast, 63 — 65

Indian line, 29

Irish loughs, 14, 25, 37, 39, 81

Itchen, The, 22, 72

Jardine gag for pike, 32
„ snap tackle, 30
Jock Scott fly, 94

Rennet, The, 42
Knots for gut, 50, 54

Landing net, 19, 94
Legering, 17, 18, 21, 35, 42
Light v. heavy rods, 92, 93
Line corona, 93

grayling, 85

" Houghton," 53

salmon, 93

soft dressed, 29

tanned flax, 93

tapered, 53

trolling, 81

Line, white trout, 90, 91
Live baiting for perch, 43, 44

„ pike, 30, 31, 32, 34
Making casts, 54
March brown fly, 9, 25
May fly, 48, 54, 74, 76, 91

,, fishing, 74—76
Minnow, 43, 44, 45, 84, 89, 90, 91, 101, 102

Netting a salmon, 97, 98
New Zealand, 84
Norfolk Broads, 25
Nottingham reel, 31, 78

Ogden Smith, Mrs., 70
Oiling dry flies, 71
Orange grouse fly, 94
Otter and eel, 22

Palmer flies, 10
Paternosteirng for pike, 32

„ ,, perch, 43

Paste, how to make, 6, 7

bread, 6

biscuit, 7

cheese, 13

red, 7
Pe 1, 87
Pe ch, 39

baits for, 42, 43

description of, 39

distribution of, 41

flies for, 45, 46

legering for, 42

paternostering for, 43

rods for, 42

spawning season, 39

spinning for, 44, 45

striking, 43

tackle for, 42, 43

trolling for, 46

varieties of, 39, 40, 41
Pi e, gaff, 32

pg, 32

legering for, 35

live baiting for, 30, 31, 32, 34

paternostering for, 32, 33, 34

rods, 28, 35

spawning season, 27

species, 26

spinning for, 35, 36, 38

spoon bait, 37

striking, 32, 34, 36

tackle, 28, 30, 33, 37

trolling for, 37
Pith and brains for chub, 12
Prawn, the, 99—102
„ fishing, 99, 102

Rainbow trout, 84

description of, 84
flies for, 84
haunts of, 84
trolling fly for, 84
restlessness of, 84

Rectangular Devon, 37

bulex.

105

Red ant fly, 85 .
Reel for white trout, 91

,, Nottingham, 31, 78

,, " Perfect," 53, 93

,, " Silex," 31 ,102
Registered safety ring and hook, 32
Roach, the, 4, 5, 8
,, baits for, 6, 7
,, description of, 4
,, for live bait, 30
,, ground bait for, 4, 6
,, plumbing depth for, 5
„ rod, 4, 5
,, tackle, 5, 6
,, wariness of, 4, 5

Rod and user, 3

„ barbel, 1 8

,, best make of, 2

,, carp, 24

,, chub, 10

„ " Castleconnel," 51, 52, 93

,, " Connemara," 93

„ dace, 8, 9

,, dapping, 49

,, disadvantage of heavy, 5, 92, 93

, grayling, 85

, greenheart, 49

, gudgeon, 3

, guinea (Hardy), 4

, perch, 42

, pike, 28, 35

, roach, 4

, rod-making, 50—53

, " Salmo esox " rod (Hardy), 29, 78,

102

,, salmon, 92, 93, 102
,, split cane, 53
„ trout, 49—53. 87, 89, 91
„ variety of, 2
Rudd, 25

,, compared with roach, 25
,, flies for, 25
,, striking, 25
,, where found, 25

Salmon, 92—102

fishing for, 99, 100, 102

flies, 93, 95. 102

fly-fishing for, 92, 95-98

gaffing, 97

how to play a, 96, 97, 98

jiggering of, 98

minnows for, 100, 101

moods of, 95, 98

netting of, 97, 98

parr of, 92

prawn for, 99, 100, 102

reel, 92, 93, 96

rods, 92, 93, 102

size and strength of, 92

spate, effect on, 100, 101, 102

„ stages in, 87, 89, 102
spawning places, 92
spinning for, 99 — 102
spoon bait for, 101, IO2
striking, 95, 99, 102 '

Salmon, sulking of, 98
„ trace, 99, 100, 102
,, working rod for, 95
Scotland, 2

Sea trout (see White trout)
Sewin, 87

Shannon, the, 93, 99
" Silex" reel, 31, 102
Silver doctor fly, 94

,, sedge fly, 9
Smuts, 74
Spinning for perch, 44, 45

„ pike, 35, 36, 38
,, salmon, 99 — 102
,, trout, 78—81
Spoon bait for perch, 45
„ pike, 37
,, salmon, 101, 102
„ trout, 89, 90
Stewart tackle, 83
Swallow tail spinner, 37

Telescopic gaff, 32
Tench, baits for, 21

description of, 20

fishing for, 21, 22

ground bait for, 2 1

legering for, 21

rod, 21

size of, 22

tackle, 21

tenacity of life of, 20

tradition about, 22
Tees, the, 84
Test, the, 72
Thames, the, 18, 42
Traces, 30, 33, 100
Trolling for trout, 81, 83
justification of, 81
on Irish loughs, 81
reel for, 81
striking when, 83
tackle, 8 1
Trace, Punjaub (Hardy's) 33
Trout, 47—84
,, bull, 84

classification of, 47

differentiation of, 47, 48

dry-fly fishing for, 70 — 76

landing net, 54

Rainbow, 84

rods, 48-50

spinning for, 78—81

Stewart tackle for, 83

trace, 79

trolling for, 8 1

wet fly-fishing for, 63—69

worming for, 83

Vaseline for line, 6, 71

Wading, 83, 93, 98

,, stockings and trousers, 71
Wales, 87

Walton, Izaak, 9, 10
White trout, 87—91

8

106

Index.

White trout, baits for, 87

description of, 87

differentiation of, 87

eel tail for, 91

fishing for, 87—91

flies for, 91

habits of, 87

haunts of, 87

herring-fly, attraction for, 90

minnows for, 90

names given to, 87

rise of, 91

rods, 87,89,91

White trout, spinning for, 89
,, striking, 89

,, tackle for, 87, 89, 90, 91

,, trolling for, 89

Wet fly-fishing for trout, 63—69
Wickham fancy, 9, 68, 85
Working the wet fly, 69
Worming for barbel, 18
,, , bream, 15
„ , dace, 8

, perch, 42
,, , tench, 21, 22
, trout, 83, 87

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