242 THE TROUT ARE RISING 



or early October, and the blessed rains have fallen, 

 it is grateful to see from your railway carriage 

 window, instead of a land dried-up by winter, the 

 fresh, green grass of the Natal veld. England's 

 green fields contrast with similar charm with the 

 arid London streets. 



The Mooi was stocked by the Natal Govern- 

 ment in 1899, and its upper reaches from 

 Rosetta upwards are distinguished for attractive 

 trout-fishing. Both Loch Levens and ordinary 

 brown trout were introduced. One has only to 

 realize how, on many a hard-fished stream of 

 England, one could work all day and be satisfied 

 with two brace of trout, to appreciate at its full 

 value the fact that on the Mooi on a good day 

 you may get your four, five, or even six brace. 

 My best day was six-and-a-half brace. Many 

 anglers get much bigger bags. And such trout, 

 too ! Fat as butter, and rare fighters. A half- 

 pounder will often put up such a gallant fight 

 that, should he free himself from the hook, the 

 generous sportsman will say : " He deserved his 

 liberty." 



Those who christened the river the Mooi 

 (the Dutch word for beautiful) knew the value of 

 an adjective. Thrice does the name occur in 

 South African river nomenclature : once in Natal, 

 once in the Transvaal, and once in East Griqualand. 

 The Natal Mooi is the best for trout. Often, 

 when fishing, does one pause to take in its rugged 

 beauty. A fine river is often the most arresting 

 feature of a landscape. The Mooi ministers to a 



