MORE FISHING NOTES. 241 



species, which are many, before reaching perfection as 

 flies, are called " stick-maggots," a very comprehensive 

 term. Luscious water-snails flourished in the green 

 growth ; whilst near the roots, in every little hollow 

 caused by the current, as the weeds waved to and 

 fro, the water-shrimps scuttled in thousands. Most 

 nourishing fish food for all fish are the nimble 

 shrimps. Through the old arches of the bridge the 

 kingfishers flashed in their flight up and down stream. 

 Where the current had forced up little patches of 

 sand and gravel above the surface of the water, wag- 

 tails tripped ; or the summer snipe or sandpiper, the 

 will-wicket of the river-side, ran nimbly or balanced 

 his body up and down, flirting his tail. Willows, 

 alders, and elms in the meadows, thickly clustered in 

 some places, scattered in others, with the quaint old 

 houses of the village, and the church in the distance 

 looking out over the trees, made a beautiful picture 

 of river-side scenery. 



An artist friend of mine, who can handle the rod 

 as well as he can use the brush, painted it before the 

 so-called improvements for the preservation of the 

 water had taken place. Old bridges when restored 

 lose very much of their artistic value. Some of them 



Q 



