26 TROUT-FISHING IN BROOKS 



noses pointed against the current, and therefore 

 whatever general chance of concealment there 

 may be rests in fishing from behind them. The 

 moral is that the brook-angler must both walk and 

 fish upstream. This point realised, a considerable 

 step has been gained. And what if he wants to 

 fish the same water back ? I reply that he 

 should note the places he has already fished up, 

 select such as he wishes to try again on the 

 journey down, approach them by small detours, 

 and deal with them as in the first instance. 



Now, something must be said concerning 

 approaches, which is a matter of very special 

 importance. Many a man who persists in keeping 

 to the upright position as he works up one of 

 these little streams is surprised at his lack of 

 success, not understanding that he has scared 

 whatever fish were in his vicinity, save perhaps a 

 few under the near bank. Very likely he 

 condemns the place ; says there are no trout in it, 

 and tells other anglers it is not worth trying. 

 Still, standing is not entirely taboo, especially 

 with an old hand. Wherever brambles, bushes, 

 flaggers, etc., form a sufficient screen, it is safe, 

 with judgment, but even then the posture should 

 be more or less stooping, and sufficient distance 

 from the edge observed. 



