40 SEA-TROUT FISHING 



adequately describe the startling suddenness of the dart at some 

 idle fly touching the surface, the quick return to the old position 

 and the resumption of the poise with head elevated at a slight 

 angle, pectorals all tremulous, and floating watery circles, emanating 

 from every slight motion of the body. It is also worth while to 

 watch a trout rush four feet up a perpendicular fall of water, pause, 

 tremble violently all over, and in a moment throw himself clear of 

 the stream and fall into the basin above, at an elevation of about 

 three feet more. 



In low water sea-trout play about near the mouths of all the 

 rivers, . moving along the deep channels cut through the sandflats 

 by the racing current with the fbb and flow of the tide, awaiting 

 favourable conditions to make their ascent in order to deposit their 

 spawn. Here, by taking a boat, good sport may be enjoyed. 



It is true there are those who agree with Scrope when he declares, 

 ' The truth is I like no sea fishing whatever, being of opinion that 

 it requires little skill.' On the other hand, a sea-trout taken from 

 the salt water is vastly superior to one that is caught after spending 

 a couple of weeks in the rivers. The change of diet, or the effects of 

 the warmer fresh water, seem to have a relaxing effect, and speedily 

 affect both the appearance and flavour of the fish. 



Perhaps the most enjoyable sea-trout fishing is to be had in some 

 dark romantic pool far ' up river ', where the fish will be found at 

 the edge of lily pads, or sometimes under the broad leafage of the 

 floating water weeds, or hiding behind banks of water fern or half- 

 sunken logs. Such fish are only to be approached in a light boat or 

 canoe. You must steal slowly and circumspectly up the calm water 

 (' studying to be quiet/ as good old Izaak directs), showing no 

 shadow until you have drawn within reach of the place where 

 you have repeatedly seen back fin and tail show up as a fly was 

 lazily seized, or large vibrating circles where his prey has been 

 struck at with the broad tail. That he is feeding is evident from 

 the brief intervals at which he keeps rising. Now see to it that 

 the ' green drake ' descends like thistle-down. There comes a 

 sudden ' boil '. Yes, you have hooked him by the quick tension 

 of the line and the rod curved to the butt. Give him no loose 

 line, but hold him tight, keep his head well up, and guide him, if 

 you can, out of the dangerous tangle of the weeds, away from his 

 lair, where there may be another giant of the river in hiding. He 

 plunges and fights with great fury, but all to no purpose. You slip 

 the net under him, and he is yours. 



Boiling is doubtless the best mode of cooking the sea-trout. 

 However, in camp the more expeditious frying-pan is usually called 

 into service. Say that the beech or maple logs of the camp fire 



