CHAPTER I 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT 



THE year of Jubilee produced a wonderful crop of 

 statistics showing the marvellous increase in the 

 wealth, power, and influence of England during Her 

 Gracious Majesty's reign. Every loyal subject rejoices 

 that this is so, though the unfortunate agriculturist 

 may not be tempted to vouch for the accuracy of the 

 statement as regards the particular industry in which 

 he is engaged ; but in no trade, in no industry, has a 

 more remarkable development taken place than in 

 that connected with the supply of articles necessary 

 for the various sports and athletic competitions ac- 

 counts of which now occupy so much space in the 

 daily papers, and add so much interest to the lives of 

 vast numbers of our fellow-countrymen. v Take, for 

 example, the scene at the Oval on an August Bank 

 Holiday, when Surrey and Notts are engaged in a 

 County cricket battle, or at Lord's when the matches 



B 2 



