Doubts and difficulties page 2

Circumstances of size or behaviour of the fish on that particular river or season - circumstances of the size of your fly and strength of your tackle - circumstances of weediness of the water, either on the surface or the bottom, or swiftness of the current- - circumstances ot bushes or rocks below you, or of stakes and obstacles on the far side, must all be taken into account.

There are times and places when it is best to tear your line through the rings, and back into the meadow as fast as you can, and to keep your fish upon the top of the water splashing aimlessly right into the net, rather than allow him to gain his head and take in the desperate situation.

There are times, particularly with grayling, when it is politic to treat her as a cat does a mouse, to stroll down stream and coax her after you with so little strain on her lips that the pliant rod only shows a gentle curve; to tire her down until she seems waterlogged and lies over on her side even in sight of the net. Grayling exhibit a far greater horror of the landing net than trout, and more are lost at that moment of tension than during their wrigglings and shakings in the deeper water.

To hook and play a fish in a spot where you have hooked and played many a predecessor is an advantage to the angler that cannot be overstated. He knows exactly what the surroundings are, and what is in store for him and his gut twenty yards down stream. No intuition can tell him of a hidden stake; but, if he has once lost a trout under it, he knows where and how to ' hold up ' at the right moment.

Do not follow any struggling fish with the net. Sink the net and bring him over it before you try to dip him out.