INTRODUCTORY 5 



disgrace no fishery of larger pretensions. A 

 weight of i Ib. is by no means rare, 2 Ib. is quite 

 possible, and, not long since, I knew positively of 

 two specimens angled from Cornish brooks of this 

 character which scaled 3 Ib. 8 oz., and 3 Ib. 

 14 oz. respectively. Of course, the general run 

 cannot be expected to go to chalk-stream dimen- 

 sions, and it would be misleading to talk only of 

 notable captures. Still, no angler need despise 

 fish of from 4 oz. to 12 oz. and over which are 

 commonly killed by a proficient in the course of a 

 day's brook-trouting in the waters to which I more 

 particularly allude. 



But what pen can paint the exquisite variety 

 these little streams present with their mimic 

 cascades and wee pools, their light melody that 

 stirred Tennyson's blood as he sang their praises, 

 their thick, fishy-looking runs over which, on a 

 hot day, the gnats hover in clouds, and dark, 

 still haunts overhung by bush and briar ? 



The fascination of them leads a man on and 

 yet on, ever hoping, ever looking forward to fresh 

 vantage-spots, and, as he rambles up, each little 

 stretch and waterfall seems to promise better 

 than the last place, and he is loth to leave 

 them ; the glamour of the brook has got hold of 

 him. 



