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CHAPTER II. 



SPRING. 



The boundary lines between the seasons, into which we 

 will take the liberty of separating the angler's year, must 

 for our present purposes be somewhat more elastic than 

 those of the calendar. At the very beginning, for example, 

 we shall find it convenient to assume that spring begins in 

 February, for in that month both salmon and trout anglers 

 have a legal right to commence operations ; and we are 

 bound by all considerations of honour and tradition to deal 

 with them in the forefront. There is no British freshwater 

 fish absolutely out of season in February. On the con- 

 trary, some of the coarse fish — a designation which, spite 

 of its unsatisfactory character, we may continue to use for 

 want of a better — are at this period in good condition, 

 more particularly if winter continues to have a firm grip 

 upon the infant year. It sometimes, but of late rarely, 

 happens that February is a tolerably pleasant month, and 

 in that case general angling is prosecuted with the ardour 

 which comes of knowing that the fence months are hurrying 

 on apace. The coarse fish just now, however, must bide 

 their time, and be content with swimming about in other 

 chapters. 



Besides, who would forgive the heretic who suggested a 

 thought of the common herd, while the kings and princes 

 of our watery realm were at hand ? It is a moot point with 

 many anglers whether salmon or trout fishing be the 



