WEEDS. 105 



a big slam. The poorest day's fishing may be concluded 

 with the capture of a record fish. As an instance of patience 

 and wrist play, I recall an experience of a connection of mine, 

 the late Rev. Daniel Hughes, of Ruthven Grammar School, 

 who, in April of 1872, while trout fishing with an eleven foot 

 rod in Carnarvon, using a silk and hair line, hooked a salmon 

 of 32 Ibs. on a medium-sized March Brown, and, after a 

 most exciting struggle lasting over six hours, finally secured 

 his fish ! 



WEEDS. 



You may well ask me ! If these weeds are so dangerous 

 and so often rob the fisherman of his fish, why are they 

 left in the river ? 



There are several considerations which have to be taken 

 into account with reference to the water plants or weeds in a 

 trout stream. The owner has to consider the necessity ot 

 keeping open his water way and preventing these rapid 

 growing plants from choking up the channel of his stream, 

 a fault which would lead to the flooding of the adjacent 

 property, damage to the river banks, and the probable loss 

 of many good fish. 



On the other hand, he has to remember that these weeds, 

 when kept within certain bounds, are most beneficial to trout 

 life, forming shelter and refuge to the trout not only from 

 mankind, but from the otter, the heron and other enemies, 

 and providing a never failing supply of natural food, as well 



