TREATISE ON FLY-FISHING. 63 



The trout in our streams rarely exceed a pound 

 an weight : this may, in some degree, be ac- 

 counted for from the circumstance, that the Devon 

 and Cornish rivers are very rapid, consequently, 

 the insects which fall from the bushes, are carried 

 so swiftly down the stream, that whilst a fish is 

 engaged in seizing on one, the others pass rapidly 

 by : the same remarks may, in times of flood, 

 apply to worms, &c. In more tranquil rivers a 

 fly seldom escapes ; it lights, or is blown on the 

 water, is immediately espied, and the fish, whilst 

 occupied in seizing one, has half-a-dozen in his 

 eye, each awaiting his leisure in calm repose. 

 That our trout loill increase rapidly, under favor- 

 able circumstances, I can testify from my own 

 experience. I knew several that were placed in 

 a pond, in August, which averaged from eight to 

 ten ounces ; in the July following, I caught the 

 same fish with a fly, which averaged from one 

 pound to one pound and a half. 



Before taking leave of trout, I must notice a fly 



