120 HIM- .NG. 



instinct and habits of the trout. In the months of July 

 and August, when the weather is dry and hot, and the 

 sun shines fiercely over head, and the streams are nearly 

 dried up, and ordinary anglers smile in derision, that any 

 one should be fool enough to take a rod in hand; go out 

 with some small red worms, to a shady part of the stream 

 where there is a fine stony or gravelly bottom, and as 

 great a depth of water as you can find. Here worm your 

 way into the very thickest part of the bushes, taking care 

 to have the sun full in your face ; for, if you get with your 

 back to the sun, the shadow of yourself and rod falling on 

 the water will entirely defeat your object. Your rod 

 must be short and stiff, and the rings rather large; in 

 order that when you hook a fish, there should be no 

 obstacle in the way to your giving him whatever length 

 of line his size may require. 



When you have taken up the desired position ; peep 

 cautiously into the deep water and you will soon perceive 

 fish. Bait your hook, and let it drop into the water, 

 without any shot, as snugly and lightly as possible; you 

 will soon see how greedily the bait will be seized. 



Though deep water is of course preferable, still, if the 

 water be only six inches in depth, it will answer your 

 purpose. In such situations, if you perceive trout, you 

 will observe that almost every fish has a certain spa< 

 water to himself, about which he takes his regular rounds 

 always returning to the spot from whence he set out. 

 Watch when he starts from his position, and then throw 

 your bait behind him, in the spot he has just left, so that 

 when he returns, it may be lying still at the bottom. He 

 will seize it for a moment, hold it in doubt as if startled, 

 and when he fancies all in safe, he will gobble up the worm, 



