With fish everything must be done gradually and without a jerk. A sudden
jerking movement immediately alarms them. If you walk gently by they
remain still, but start or lift the arm quickly and they dart for deep
water. The object of withdrawing the rod was to get at and enlarge the
loop in order that it might be slipped over his tail, since the head was
protected by the bough. It is a more delicate operation to pass the wire
up from behind; it has to go farther before the spot that allows a firm
grip is reached, and fish are well aware that natural objects such as
twigs float down with the current. Anything, therefore, approaching from
behind or rubbing upwards is suspicious. As this fish had just been
startled, it would not do to let the wire touch him at all.
After enlarging the loop I put the rod slowly forth again, worked the
wire up stream, slipped the noose over his tail, and gently got it up to
the balance of the fish. Waiting a moment to get the elbow over the end
of the rod so as to have a good leverage, I gave a sudden jerk upwards,
and felt the weight instantly. But the top of the rod struck the
overhanging bough, and there was my fish, hung indeed, but still in the
water near the surface. Nor could I throw it on the bank, because of the
elder bushes. So I shortened the rod, pulling it in towards me quickly
and dragging the jack through the water.
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