THE BROOK-ANGLER'S EQUIPMENT 23 



holds casts of all sorts, a few 3 x points for flies, 

 an artificial minnow or two, scissors, a tiny file 

 for sharpening hooks, a darning-needle for undoing 

 tangled gut, spare hook lengths and some wax-end 

 in case of a broken rod, one's licence, permits, etc. 



Finally, a word about clothing. This should be, 

 as far as possible, in harmony with the surround- 

 ings so as to be inconspicuous. Drab burberrys, 

 or tweeds of some plain neutral colour, help 

 concealment, with a soft hat or cap of the same ; 

 straw headgear and white collars are better 

 discarded. 



I believe I have now enumerated almost all the 

 necessaries of the brook-fisherman, and it is time 

 to get to work, but I must first draw attention to 

 a few preliminary matters. 



By the way, it is as well to be assured of the 

 presence of fish in the brook to be experimented 

 upon. Some twenty years ago, when at Ross 

 (Herefordshire), I noticed a most enticing little 

 stream which joined the Wye. It looked promis- 

 ing, and I persuaded a non-angler to come and 

 watch me put a basket together. I fished that 

 brook for all I was worth. Each little stickle and 

 pool looked better than the last, but not a single 

 trout got into the creel. To say that I was 

 utterly puzzled or disgusted would not express 



