132 THE WONDERFUL TROUT 



2. The History of a Season, 1898. 



As a perfect antithesis to the last example 

 we take the season of 1898. 



In 1898 we found our water at a medium 

 height, or 00 of scale, but dark and cold 

 and inky, with cold water temperature and 

 warmer air, and the water pulsing slightly 

 up and down the gauge. Previous to this 

 the weather had been genial and mild all 

 February and March, and indeed during the 

 previous winter. 



Then after the 8th April, and as the season 

 advanced, both air and water became colder, 

 and soon trout went decidedly off condition. 

 Before this they were in better condition 

 than by the middle of May at least all those 

 which were over three-quarters of a pound or 

 one pound. Young fish were quite good. 



March browns had appeared early, but 

 afterwards very few were seen, and only one 

 day after the 8th April. Only one day also 

 was a flight of early duns seen after the 8th, 

 though a few were seen occasionally; that 

 flight only lasted for a short half-hour, and 

 after it was over the trout took savagely for 



