FLY FISHING FOR TROUT 41 



hooked, perchance too violent a strike is made, and 

 the line comes back in the fisherman's face minus fly 

 and some inches of cast. 



But should all go right, then what a glorious 

 moment it is ! The capture of a great trout under 

 such conditions after having waited heart-leaping 

 during the furious pursuit is one of the happiest 

 events of a fishing career. 



Should it be a good Mayfly season it is perfectly 

 marvellous in what multitudes that insect appears. 

 On the Kennet or Test or Itchen, or even on the 

 Derbyshire Wye, the very air is thick with them, 

 while the rivers are covered by their bodies, dead or 

 alive. Where the Great Western Railway runs close 

 by the Kennet I have seen the inside of a carriage 

 absolutely teeming with them, somewhat to the 

 consternation of a friend of mine who was not well 

 acquainted with the habits of this insect. When the 

 fly is thickly ' up ' it is almost comic to watch the efforts 

 of the small birds to swallow yet one more. They sit 

 on branches, and literally gasp, so full are they of 

 the succulent food. I am bound to say they do their 

 little best in this direction, instinct doubtless teach- 

 ing them that but a short ten days can be counted 

 on wherein to revel in their rare dainty. In fine, 

 brief though it be, the Mayfly season is one which, 



