96 THE SCIENCE OF DRY FLY FISHING. 



with natural food, and he also admits the difficulties of 

 regulating the temperature of water conveyed in aqueducts. 

 I consider that so long, then, as the owner of a 

 hatchery is secure against floods and natural dangers, 

 the natural food and temperature of productive trout 

 streams will secure the most favourable breeding of his 

 trout. 



Under favourable circumstances the rapid growth of 

 trout is extraordinary. Trout from the upper waters of 

 the Dart, where natural food is scarce, and the fish 

 in consequence small, quickly grow to a very large 

 size when placed in the more productive waters of ponds 

 and reservoirs. Trout will feed better in fairly temperate 

 weather than when it is very cold, and a rise in 

 temperature after a cold spell is productive of good sport. 

 This fact may be due to the greater activity of insect life, 

 and sometimes to the recovery of trout from spawning 

 operations. Trout lose their desire for food as the spawning 

 time approaches, and though they commence feeding after 

 it is over, they do not regain their full feeding powers until 

 the warm spring weather is reached. My experience of 

 trout has convinced me that they acquire an increase of 

 feeding power, and, naturally, a more rapid power of digestion, 

 in the spring months ; and that they, in consequence, increase 

 more in weight in the four months between March and 

 August than during the rest of the year. These months, 

 then, are the time for the fisherman. 



