NEW WATERS 279 



to the conclusion that even the most artificial of 

 trout very soon acquire a sense of discrimination. 

 A few weeks of hard fishing will teach them a lot 

 about the ways of the world. 



There was one feature about the stocking at 

 Thorney Weir which struck me as worth noting 

 for other places. When all the big fish were first 

 turned in they were not left to fend for themselves 

 but received a daily allowance of artificial food. 

 This allowance, liberal to begin with, was gradually 

 decreased, the idea being that as the fish became 

 accustomed to their new quarters they would 

 make more and more use of the food-supplies they 

 found there and so would be less dependant on hand- 

 feeding. I believe the theory worked out all right 

 in practice. 



It is hardly to be expected that there can be 

 many attempts to emulate the Thorney Weir pro- 

 ceedings — the expense would be prohibitive for 

 most people — but I think the lesson of artificial - 

 feeding gradually reduced is a useful one. I have 

 more than once found that hatchery trout of con- 

 siderably less size (say ten to twelve inches) 

 take a long time to get acclimatised to a water and 

 to begin to put on weight. I think this must be 

 due to the abrupt cessation of their accustomed 

 food-supplies. Where the thing is possible I believe 

 it would make a great deal of difference if they were 



