258 THE PRACTICAL FISHERMAN. 



trout are occasionally "colour" blind, or afflicted with what in the 

 genus homo is known as Daltonism. Since that paragraph was written I 

 have tried very hard to arrive at some conclusions for my readers, but 

 with a success of such limited scope as not to justify my pronouncing 

 yea or nay yet. I am, however, convinced that, owing to a prevailing 

 hue of water and surroundings, trout exhibit a partiality for one par- 

 ticular colour. More I cannot say at present. 



I have said I do not like night fishing neither do I. It savours to me 

 of poaching, and consequently is not quite " the thing." 



During the hot weather trout not unfrequently remain until evening 

 comes on before attempting to seek for food. In the daytime they lie 

 somnolently under banks or in quiet corners, whence they will not be 

 tempted. Especially do the larger fish affect this course of behaviour. 

 Night fishing in such a case is very effective, and by some greatly liked. 

 Its details of style are as follow : The flies used are the larger ones, 

 such as the cinnamon, alder, or white moth, and the casts ought to be 

 made down, because in the twilight one cannot nearly so readily perceive 

 a rise as in daylight, and many a fish would be missed because of the 

 slack line if up-stream fishing were resorted to. 



The casting line may be stout and strong, and it is advisable to have 

 another one or two in readiness to slip on in the event of a breakage. 

 The spots where fish are to be found at night are pretty much the same 

 as in the daytime of a favourable day, only perhaps more afield, for they 

 must feed some time in the twenty-four hours, at least, it is a fair 

 assumption that they do, and if they have not done so in the day they will 

 at night. After a fish is hooked it is policy to kill it as soon as possible. 

 Trust in night fishing to your perception by the feeling of a bite rather 

 than to sight, and in all cases where a rise can be seen drop the bait into 

 the ripple made. 



The fishing of still water is almost similar to fishing a river or stream, 

 taking into consideration the difference of surroundings. Any angler 

 well versed in trout fishing on a river will readily pick up the methods 

 pursued on lakes. Of course it is necessary, in the case of still water, to 

 " work " the fly, and against the practice in the case of such water there 

 can be no appeal. Of course I am exclusively referring to artificial fly- 

 fishing. Other baits require different practice as will be seen. 



Thus, in the foregoing pages, have I endeavoured to succinctly give 

 directions for fishing with the artificial fly that the tyro with intelligence 

 at his command might catch fish whenever he may chance to seek a trout 

 stream for that purpose. I can conceive of nothing more delightful in this 

 life than, rod in hand, and fly -book in pocket, to seek the sweet streams 

 of Devonshire, or the pools and burns of Wales, or the "wimplin" 



