218 BY ROOK AND BY CROOK. 



sharp frosts^ which made the river quickly fall in^ and 

 in spite of the waves beaten up by an easterly gale, for 

 the next two days we did nothing beyond bagging from 

 1 dozen to 1^ dozen trout each day, averaging rather 

 over ^ lb. apiece. 



In low water salmon take badly after lying in a pool 

 for some days, so we determined to devote the last day 

 of our visit to trout-fishing, and whilst the feed came 

 out in the middle of the day bagged a dozen or so ; but 

 the easterly gale was so cold and strong that the rise 

 was of short duration, and it was only with the greatest 

 difficulty that the line could be induced to enter the 

 water, or remain in it when there. 



While trout, during the rise of fly, occupy the centre 

 of the current, down which the feed floats, the sraolts 

 keep at a respectful distance, contenting themselves 

 with any stray bits that may chance their way; but 

 so soon as the trout cease rising and retire to the 

 stiller water, the smolts taking their place, pick off the 

 cripples and sunken flies. While the March brown is 

 on, at all events, the rise of a trout is easily distinguished 

 by the initiated from that of the smolt, as the former 

 in taking the fly makes a sort of flop on the surface. 



At this season of the year the trout are ravenous and 

 fairly rush at the March brown, as it is the first large 

 fly to appear, and no doubt its upright wings, combined 

 with the height at which it sits on the water, require 

 an extra efi'ort on the part of the trout, resulting in the 

 flop on the surface alluded to. 



