FOUR YEARS LATER 255 



of poisoning could be traced, and the suggestion 

 was made that the severe frost was responsible for 

 the mortality. The catastrophe, however, did not 

 appreciably lessen the number of scalies ; on the 

 contrary, they seemed to be more numerous than 

 four years earlier. " Only a scaly ! " is your 

 deprecatory exclamation when you find you have 

 one on, and are seeking higher game in the shape 

 of trout. Yet, after this visit, the scaly has com- 

 pelled respect if only for the plucky fight he 

 invariably puts up when hooked on the fly. This 

 fish fights stoutly to a finish. The difference 

 between his rise and that of a trout is worth 

 noting. The trout's rise is all business, a simple 

 gulping of the fly, accompanied often by a distinct 

 u chop " in the water, followed instantly by a 

 smart run and sometimes by a screaming of the 

 reel, owing to the demand for line. When the 

 scaly rises, there is an innocent dimpling of the 

 water, much as if the fly is being sucked-in. It is 

 not unlike the rise of the grayling. A little later, 

 though, fury is rampant. 



A scaly's rise and subsequent behaviour 

 remind me of the police constable's prisoner 

 who says, " I'll go quietly," and then the next 

 moment becomes violent, showing himself " ob- 



' D 



streperous," to quote the police court term. Not 

 only does the scaly play well, but also, properly 

 prepared, he eats well. Of course the bones are 

 a nuisance, but, nicely baked, then vinegared, 

 then fried, and garnished with salt and pepper 

 superadded, the scaly is a palatable dish ; though 



