210 



SCENE. The River above the Quay stream. 



Herb. COME now, fire away, where first am I 

 to expect to find fish ? 



Theoph. Pray be patient, and understand that 

 as a general rule, you may expect fish, small or 

 large, in every part of a trout or grayling stream, 

 with this exception, that they do not lie over a 

 muddy bottom, nor in holes frequented by chub or 

 pike ; for the reasons that they love gravel better 

 than mud or clay ; and that pike are quarrel- 

 some companions ! From one to three feet deep 

 of rapid water, among clusters of weeds, is their 

 great delight ; and though large trout frequent 

 deeper and stiller positions by day, and may rise 

 at the fly occasionally, it is not under such cir- 

 cumstances that they are actively on the feed. 

 Where a rapid stream, such as I have just alluded 

 to, terminates in a deep hole, it is at the head 



