36 WORM-FISHING. 



places the fishing is early, and lasts for a shorter 

 period than in smaller streams. Daybreak is 

 the best time for catching big trout, and the 

 forenoon can generally be relied on ; but fish in 

 large rivers are very capricious, a slight change 

 in the weather not unfrequently putting them 

 off the feed entirely. In small waters such as 

 Leader and Gala, the take is more certain, and 

 continues a longer time. These streams are admir- 

 ably adapted for worm-fishing, and sport can be 

 depended on from the middle of June to nearly 

 the end of July. During June, in rivers of this 

 size, trout feed at nearly every hour of the day. 

 We mention three distinct takes. The first com- 

 mences in the early morning, say at two or three 

 o'clock, if the weather is at all favourable ; the 

 next about eight, which extends more or less up 

 to one or two P.M. ; and lastly an afternoon take, 

 between four and six o'clock. It will be observed 

 that as the day advances trout leave the broken 

 water and lie at the tail ends of pools and 

 streams. A good breeze is then of great import- 

 ance. 



At the beginning of July there is occasionally 

 a touch of frost or fog, which spoils the early 

 morning take ; when it is warm, however, trout 

 still feed freely during the early hours. The 

 best time of day is now from eight to two or 

 three o'clock, and it is curious to note that the 



