40 ANGLING. 



take the lead, and the others fall behind, two and two, or three 

 and three; the smaller fellows being always^ stationed at the 

 bottom of the line. We have seen fish remain in this position for 

 many hours without moving a single inch. If a little food be 

 dropped in among the number, the largest always claims, and is 

 invariably allowed the privilege of first taking possession. 



All trout have then: holds, or haunts, or places of retreat. 

 These are commonly some . large stone, or trunk of a tree, or old 

 timbers about mills, or overhanging rocks. Each fish has his 

 regular track or portion of water to range about in, and seldom 

 trespasses on the liberties of his neighbours. If one of these 

 sections or divisions of water become vacant, it is soon filled up 

 by a new occupant. These habits and facts respecting the trout 

 were noticed two hundred years ago by Giovanni Villifranci, in a 

 work published at Venice, in 1614, called "L'Armaranto Eavola 

 Piscatoria." 



Trout will remain for some weeks in precisely the same spot. 

 In the hot and dry summer of 1826, we observed a large fish about 

 four pounds weight, which, for ten weeks, never moved, that we 

 C9\ild ascertain, out of a small but rather deep stream. We tried 

 him at intervals, both early and late, with fly, worm, and minnow, 

 but all to no purpose. Soon after a flood came down the stream, 

 and we saw him no more. Nearly about the same time, a large 

 trout, under precisely the same circumstances, was observed for a 

 long time near to one of the arches of Pelton Bridge, on the river 

 Coquet. He took up a sort of permanent abode there ; had often 

 anglers paying him a visit, but all their subtle arts proved unavail- 

 ing, and he was captured at last by a simple country lad, with a 

 miserable rod and line, with a plain red worm. His weight was 

 five pounds. 



It is by taking cognizance of these holds or haunts that an 

 angler, who knows a river well possesses such a decided advantage 

 over a stranger, however skilful and expert. The former knows 

 to a certainty where the fish are lying ; and if he be unsuccessful 

 on one occasion, he is almost sure to succeed on another. 



Trout pair at the latter end of June, and the whole of the month 

 of July, and are invariably nearly of the same size. They roam 

 together, feed together, exist together, and seem to delight in 

 each other's society- We have sometimes fancied that they ex- 

 press feelings of commiseration and affection /or each other in 

 times of penl and danger. The Italian author just named noticed 

 this fact in the trout of Italian streams, and treats of it under the 

 name of the " Loves of the Fishes." 



There can be no doubt, we apprehend, that trout are remarkably 

 susceptible of atmospheric influences. It is, perhaps, impossible 

 to explain this ; but our opinion is founded on circumstances like 

 the following, which have fallen under observation over and over 

 again in many parts of Great Britain. We have started some 

 beautiful morning, with rod and fly, anticipating noble sport 



