100 AUGUST. 



some clear part of the stream, and throw in a 

 stone sufficiently large to cause a parting on the 

 surface ; in less than half an hour you will find 

 one of the finest fish in the river, about a foot 

 below it. They invariably select such, spots where 

 the water parts on each side of their nose ; and 

 if you throw and take him, another half hour 

 will see his place supplied, and so on ad infini- 

 tum. Therefore be sure, that after you have 

 tried the banks, look keenly out for the divided 

 ripple; it matters not how it is produced, 

 whether by a stone, tree, bridge, stake* any- 

 thing, so that the trout has an object before him, 

 there he lies. The cause for this instinctive- 

 ness, I take to be the smooth water in which 

 he abides enabling him to see better the small 

 particles of food which may pass on either side. 

 I could mention twenty modes, by which you 

 might ensnare the fish, even with your arti- 

 ficial fly; but as I am strongly opposed to all 

 but the fair, open, and skilful throwing, I 



