124 FLY FISHING AND SPINNING 



low (see Plate XII.). The photograph shown in this plate 

 was taken on the Axe, Devonshire, and the influence of the 

 weeds on this stream can be at once realized, both as 

 regards the plentiful supply of insect life and as damming 

 up and filtering the water of the river. 



Weed-cutting and dredging should always, therefore, 

 for the above reasons, be restricted within reasonable limits, 

 and carried out at times most convenient to other fishermen. 

 Nearly every owner of trout water has suffered from the 

 ills of floating weeds, and this experience generally leads 

 to the kindly consideration of those who may be fishing in 

 the water below them. The weeds which encourage the 

 growth of the water shrimp perhaps the most valuable 

 natural food for trout are the Ranunculus and Water 

 Celery. 



FUNGUS ON GROWN FISH 



A trout may be caught at times suffering from a fungus 

 or a growth on the head, shoulder, or other part of the body. 

 The student will be well advised, after netting such a speci- 

 men, to destroy it at once, taking care not to return it to 

 the water or place it among his clean fish. Fungus can at 

 times be cured by dipping the fish in a strong solution of 

 salt. 



It is the salt in the sea water which effectually eradicates 

 the germs from the wounds which a salmon receives during 

 a futile effort to reach the spawning ground, and by doing 

 so makes practically certain the ultimate cure of such wounds. 

 Ordinary fungus is a growth which attaches itself to any 

 bare spot on the trout's skin, caused by a wound or the 

 accidental loss of slime. The natural mucus on a trout 

 protects the skin from fungus in exactly the same manner 

 that Peacock's Paint protects the bottoms of iron ships from 

 barnacles, etc. The fungus is in itself harmless, but it 



