10 TROUT-FISHING FOR THE BEGINNER 



was hooked. It fought remarkably well for 

 its size, and when finally brought to net, a 

 length of coarse gut was seen to be protrud- 

 ing from its mouth. On opening it, a bait 

 hook was found well down in its stomach, 

 yet neither the hook nor the gut attached to 

 it seemed to inconvenience the fish in the 

 least. The trout was in capital condition, 

 and this seems to prove that a wound that 

 would very soon finish an animal or a human 

 being is a mere bagatelle to a fish. 



6. The seasons : when and where to fish. 

 A knowledge of the places in which trout 

 lie during different periods of the season is 

 necessary for successful angling. Although 

 the season opens in some districts as early 

 as February, April is soon enough to begin 

 fishing, as prior to that date the trout are 

 not in good condition. In April the best 

 sport will be had in the pools. There in 

 the deeper parts trout frequent the sides, 

 but the majority prefer the shallow water 

 at the pool-foot. In May the fish are greatly 

 improved in condition, and move into stronger 

 water. They will be found about the heads 

 of the pools, and scattered to some extent 

 throughout the streams. Towards the end 

 of the month they are in prime condition, 



