Pod-netting.—­This derives its name from the habitation of the trouts (the banks of the “becks”) which are called “hods” or “holds” and more frequently “pods,” and this net therefore goes by these three names.  I have before described to you the situation generally of these “holds” to be either in the ledge of some rock or stone in the water, or under some bank reaching over the stream.  This net is used in fine weather, and when the water is “clear as crystal;” the fisherman takes hold of the handles of the net,[4] and wades through the stream as gently as possible, placing the net just at the side of a trout’s “hold,” taking care to keep it as close to the bottom as possible, to afford the trout no room for escape.  Then another with a long pole drives the trouts from the mouth of the “hold,” when they immediately dart into the net, and nothing remains but to draw the net quickly up.  This is a famous method of fishing.  I have been with parties when we have completely cleared the beck.  We went to “Carmony” in the spring of 1825, and caught an immense quantity by fishing with the hand and pod.  This brings to my recollection an amusing circumstance, which I intend troubling you with, though you may think it unworthy of notice.  It was reported in that year that there was a large quantity of trouts in the beck; and I went at the recommendation of those who had seen a particularly large one (when passing by) “basking” in the streams.  I was referred to a certain “lum,” and thither I went one afternoon with two friends, to try if we could have an opportunity of seeing him.  We had scarcely reached the spot when we perceived him lying at the mouth of his “hold,” a fine grassy bank at the side of which grew a small bush; and I employed my friends to watch the trout should he escape me.  I crossed the brook (my friends remaining on the opposite side), pulled off my coat and waistcoat, and tucked up my shirt ready for action.  He was still lying very quietly, and as I knew I had no chance with him then, I touched him gently with a twig and he moved into his habitation.  I then leaned over the bank, thrust in my arm, touched his back, I felt his size, and was all caution.  So first I began to secure him by building a piece of wall before the bank to prevent his going out; but I had no sooner laid the first stone than out he bounced, and darted down the river about twenty yards, (we running after him all the while) then up again, and so on for about a quarter of an hour, till at length he became tired and waddled into his dwelling.  I now thought all secure, and once more put in my hand, when he jumped at least three or four yards out of the water.  I must confess, I was a little confused with my friends’ dictation, who feared I should lose him.  Again housed, I made a kind of fort at one end of the hold, and this done, I again thrust in my arm, when he was as soon out again, and on getting up I found my hand covered with blood.