BULGING TROUT. 77 



insects. On these occasions, although the trout are rising to 

 the surface, they take little or no notice of the natural or 

 artificial fly on the water. When the trout are showing the 

 dorsal fin and part of the back above the water, they are then 

 said to be bulging. If the fisherman finds that the trout, 

 under these circumstances, persistently refuse to feed on the 

 floating fly, his best plan is to change his cast, and fish up and 

 across stream with a short line and two or more single winged 

 flies. These flies should, if possible, resemble the nymphse 

 on which the trout are feeding. The flies should only be sunk 

 a few inches below the surface, and the jerky swimming action 

 of the nympha imitated as closely as possible by a series of 

 very small jerks given to the artificial fly, as the cast is drawn 

 through the water toward the fisherman. 



I have found that a medium Olive Quill body and heckle, 

 with a single pair of the lightest starling wings, is extremely 

 useful. On one bulging day, when fishing on a delightful 

 chalk stream in Normandy, I gave up any attempt to attract 

 the trout, who were showing up in all directions, with the 

 dry fly, and by adopting the above method, secured quite a 

 respectable basket of trout. I have since then, under 

 bulging conditions, adopted this plan with success. Mr. 

 Halford recommends a Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, and though 

 I have never offered one to a bulging fish, I think them 

 well worth trying, the gold ribbing being most likely the 

 attraction. Alders have, I believe, been often used with 

 success when trout are persistently bulging. 



