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CHAPTER V. 



WINTER. 



When the salmon, by legislative enactment, are hunted no 

 more by net or by rod, but are allowed to perform their 

 spawning operations in peace and security ; when the 

 trout are also left undisturbed, to increase and multiply, 

 and get into condition by the time that spring returns 

 again, there is still a good deal worth having left for the 

 English angler. Fair-weather fishermen will put away 

 their rods and console themselves during the short winter 

 days, and long winter nights, by their firesides ; but there 

 will be in town and country a decided majority of enthusi- 

 astic English anglers, who will brave the frost, snow, rain, 

 and fog, and never abandon, until compelled to do so, their 

 raids upon the fish that are in season. 



As in treating of the Salmonidse I have placed the 

 Salmo salar at the head of the list, so in a concluding 

 chapter upon winter angling, I cannot do less than give 

 prominence to the pike. 



The humanitarian question of angling, I may confess, 

 without apology, never troubles me, and there will be time 

 enough to meet it and deal with it, or shirk it, when, should 

 the Pigeon Shooting Bill become law, consequential attempts 

 are made to interfere in other directions. During the 

 debate in Parliament upon that remarkable measure, it 

 may be remembered that references were made to the 

 pastime of angling. Until actually forced to defend them- 



