FISHING GENERALITIES ill 



always seems to be fatal to fishing (naturally I ex- 

 cept a ' spate/ and * coloured ' water), and that is a 

 cold, dank mist, which rises and envelopes the river 

 like a shroud. This seems to put an end to all 

 sport, and when it appears the angler may pack up 

 and go home. 



The question may be asked, ' In what months and 

 at what times of the day during those months should 

 fishing be undertaken ? ' Well, in Devonshire and 

 certain other parts of the country but in few, I am glad 

 to say I believe trout fishing begins in some rivers on 

 February i, and on others on March i. It is possible 

 that in some districts trout may be in condition as 

 early as this, but I do not think that trout fishing 

 ought to begin before April i at the earliest. By 

 then the small fish in Devonshire waters may be fit 

 for catching, but it is rare to find any trout in the 

 larger South -country rivers which are in condition 

 much before May. As a general rule, October i is the 

 date for trout fishing to cease, and this would seem 

 about the proper time ; at any rate it should not be* 

 later. During the earlier weeks of September I have 

 often caught trout in lovely condition, but soon after 

 this date the fish begin to ' go back,' and then it is 

 time to put away one's rods and lines, at any rate as 

 far as trout fishing is concerned. 



