90 THE SCIENCE OF DRY FLY FISHING. 



with which he had, either as manager or commissioner, 

 been brought into contact, is strongly opposed to risking 

 breeding ponds in the channel of any stream or river, and 

 advises the artificial construction of ponds fed by artificial 

 races. These ponds, he thinks, should be small and compact, 

 lined with wood, and secure, by the aid of natural hiding 

 places, from their many enemies, and, most important of 

 all, freed from any danger of floods, etc. ; but he recommends 

 the use of water plants as affording shelter and food for 

 the trout. 



These ideas, sound as they undoubtedly are when the 

 dangers above enumerated are considered, have been 

 followed more or less by English pisciculturists, and the 

 logical consequence of these artificial surroundings has been 

 a loss of the many natural advantages of the other method 

 that is, of having trout pounds situated in the channel of 

 recognised trout streams. 



The want of the natural food carried by a good trout 

 stream, the want of the plentiful supply of fresh running 

 and natural influence of river water, the reliance on artificial 

 food, the vicinity of the keepers, the feeble current, etc., 

 all tell against the trout reared under such conditions. For 

 one thing, I am confident that trout reared under these 

 conditions and accustomed to be hand fed, do not, when 

 they are taken to stock other waters, rise to the fly as freely 

 as they would do had they been accustomed to depend 

 more on natural food during their early life. 



