INTRODUCTORY 3 



supervened since Stewart wrote, causing 

 changes which he did not, and most likely 

 could not, foresee, we have tried to give 

 reasons as they occurred to us that came 

 within our belief and practice. 



Pure theory will be kept out so far as 

 possible, though we may claim that cer- 

 tain deductions present themselves. But 

 'Theories and Notes and Notions' may 

 have a chapter to themselves. 



And now, once for all, let it be understood 

 at this outset, we are not offering a treatise 

 on trout-fishing generally, but these pages 

 refer to river-fishing only. Stewart in his 

 first Preface says: 'The information re- 

 ceived (from others) we have thoroughly 

 tested before admitting it.' In like manner 

 we claim to have done the same, at least 

 during the last eight or nine years' trout- 

 fishing out of a total experience of, alas ! 

 close upon forty years' actual angling for 

 trout and salmon for we began under 

 tuition, before any 'standards' had to be 

 'passed'; so, if the education was slower, 

 possibly it may prove more stable and lasting. 



Stewart in his Preface to the Fourth 



