34 TROUT-FISHING IN BROOKS 



are in the humour. It is impossible to lay down 

 any settled rule for summer, since hatches of fly 

 may come up at any hour, and with them a rise. 

 But towards sunset, and after, many insects 

 assume the sub-imago stage, and with the ascend- 

 ing nymphce invite the fish to hold their usual 

 evening carnival, when good sport, while it lasts, 

 is very probable. At no time will the C.W. worm 

 be taken better than during the very early 

 morning, but this would demand exceptional 

 energy. Eight or nine o'clock is a good average 

 hour to commence, and it will be noticed that, as 

 a rule, whatever take there may be, it is apt to go 

 off about 3 p.m., but again come on as dusk 

 approaches. 



There are a few common-knowledge matters 

 which may as well find room in these notes. 

 Most of them are well known to the average trout- 

 fisherman, but an angling work would seem to me 

 incomplete without giving them some slight 

 attention. The first of these is about leaping 

 fish. When a hooked trout jumps clear out of 

 water it is idle to theorise concerning its direction, 

 from or towards the fisherman, and changes of 

 method. The thing is so sudden and unexpected 

 that there is not a moment for deliberation. 

 Simultaneously with the leap, lower the tip of the 



