12 THE TROUT 



added to the charm of a day's trout fishing by the 

 presence of these sweet songsters, ought to be of 

 inestimable worth to him who can in any degree 

 appreciate the beauty of Nature's works. 



But however devoted a naturalist our fisherman 

 may be, he cannot help feeling anxious to begin 

 operations, especially as this is his first day's fishing 

 of the season. So let us set him to work so soon as 

 may be ; as not only does the day seem favourable, 

 but there is much promise in what is happening only 

 a few yards above the spot where we are standing ; 

 for sundry circles have appeared just below a 

 small weed bed, showing that some fish, at any 

 rate, are beginning to * move.' Moreover, there is 

 oh fortunate day ! a gentle wind blowing up-stream ; 

 therefore no forcing of the fly will be necessary, and 

 no compulsory cross or down stream fishing need 

 be undertaken. Indeed, our angler seems to have 

 1 happened' on an ideal day for his purpose, though, 

 as fishermen know too well, ideal days as regards 

 weather very often turn out singularly unsatisfactory 

 ones with respect to sport. Still, pleasant atmospheric 

 conditions count for .much when fishing, though the 

 bag may not be so heavy as anticipated when the rod 

 was first put together in the morning. 



But while these reflections have been proceeding, 



