78 THE WONDERFUL TROUT 



the clear water from a height. Even before 

 taking the bait himself, he will chase away 

 the small fry, i.e. if the bait is lying stationary 

 at his very nose. If it be travelling, his dash 

 at it is enough in itself to scare the smaller 

 fish. Therefore at least we feel sure it is 

 one good reason the small fry feed when 

 he is not there. 



But with adverse winds, still a basket may 

 be made if the angler covers more mileage of 

 river, and selects only such bends or reaches 

 which are partially or wholly negotiable, 

 just as may be done in fly-fishing; and we 

 have seen good baskets made in this way. 

 Still, it is not invariably the case that big 

 fish are not on the feed during a strong 

 down-stream wind. If they are found on 

 the shallows and streams in such circum- 

 stances, we certainly think other counter- 

 vailing reasons are discoverable in each case. 

 In the worm season, as we have said, the 

 wind usually increases as day advances. As 

 for trout feeding under all circumstances of 

 heavy down- winds, that we cannot believe; 

 but that they do so at times is certain, as 

 may be gathered from the following quota- 



