SPRING. 37 



have been the exception. At least I made it the ground 

 of a practical decision, acted upon in response to a dubious 

 expression on the face of the keeper, who evidently viewed 

 my capture of two trout from the same milky-coloured 

 stickle with displeasure. He spoke not, but his eye most 

 assuredly was fastened upon the second fish as he took it 

 out of the landing-net in the hope of finding signs and 

 tokens whereby he might invite me to return it to the 

 water. I saw his desire, and at once pronounced the fish 

 to be in splendid condition, a verdict with which he was 

 bound to coincide, though he did so not very graciously, as 

 he slipped the fish through the hole in the cover of the creel. 

 On the whole, therefore, though it would be impossible 

 to pass by the month of February, we may fairly assume 

 that it is not a valuable month for the angler, except in so 

 far that it gives him the opportunity of getting together 

 his tackle, and wandering out by the river side to try 

 a few preliminary casts ; and I have often been surprised to 

 find how many anglers on the opening day of the season, 

 let the weather be what it may, have equipped themselves, 

 and hied them to the river, although there was not the 

 slightest chance of getting a fish. All this, if amusing, is 

 typical of the enthusiasm of the angler in Great Britain, 

 and probably everywhere else. He has been waiting for 

 this day ; he has been preparing his apparatus ; he has 

 been making up his mind that now he shall have amends 

 for the inaction of the dreary winter days. His waterproof 

 boots are in prime order ; his creel is sweet and natty ; his 

 rod has an extra polish ; there is no flaw in landing-net or 

 handle ; and altogether our early angler has a very spruce 

 appearance, when, with his heart full of hope, he goes out 

 for the first time in the year to look for a trout. His real 

 season, nevertheless, is more likely to begin with March. 



