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is so vigilant, cautious, and active, that great 

 skill, as well as patience, are required to insure 

 success. During the day the larger-sized fish 

 move but little from their accustomed haunts ; 

 but towards evening, and during the night, 

 they rove in search of small fish, insects, and 

 their various larvae, upon which they feed with 

 eagerness. The young trout fry may be seen 

 throughout the day, sporting on the shallow 

 gravelly scours of the stream, where the want 



dependent upon various reflections of the water, from pro- 

 jecting banks, rocks, scours, and shoals, and may often 

 be guessed at, when not sufficiently visible, by attending to 

 the position of the banks, &c. At roots of trees, or in 

 other places where the froth (called in Staffordshire Beg- 

 gar's Balm) collects, and in little whirlpools and eddies, he 

 will often be found. All such places are by far the most 

 favourable for sport ; for insects follow the same course as 

 the bubbles, &c. and are sought there by the fish. The 

 larger trout are on the scours in the night, chasing min- 

 nows and other small fish. In the day they are cautiously 

 watching for food in deep holes, under hollow banks, or 

 roots of trees, or at the angles of rocks. In May and June, 

 when the fish are strong, they are also to be found in the 

 more rapid parts of the water." Ronalds. 



" Large trout always hide themselves under the same 

 bank, stone, or weed, and come out from their permanent 

 habitations to feed. When they have fled to their haunt, 

 they may be taken there by the hand ; and on this circum- 

 stance the practice of tickling trout is founded. A favou- 

 rite place for a large trout in rivers is, an eddy, behind a 

 rock or stone, where flies and small fishes are carried by 

 the force of the current ; and such haunts are rarely un- 

 occupied, for if a fish is taken out of them, his place is soon 

 supplied by another, who quits for it a less convenient 

 situation." Sir H. Davy. 



