54 THE DRY FLY AND FAST WATER 



"black gnats," "punkies," "midges/' etc., is 

 quite inclined to believe that, while " smutting " 

 is rather an inelegant term to apply to the fish, 

 the insects themselves, considering the provo- 

 cation, have been let off too lightly in being 

 described as "smuts" and "curses." These di- 

 minutive pests seem to be abroad at all times 

 of the day, but are particularly numerous in 

 the late afternoon, when clouds of them may be 

 seen hovering over the still water of the pools. 

 At such times the trout seem to be busily feed- 

 ing, but the keenest observation does not dis- 

 close what it is they are taking. These "curses" 

 are so small that it seems incredible that large 

 trout should be interested in them. That they 

 are is easily proven by autopsy, and I have 

 found solid masses of them in the gullets and 

 stomachs of sizable fish, proving that they must 

 have been extremely busy if the insects were 

 taken singly. If one could see these tiny things 

 upon the water, and could see a trout rise to 

 them, he would have convincing evidence that 

 they are taken singly; but, though my eyesight 

 is still good, I have never been able to satisfy 

 myself that I have actually seen a fish take one 

 of them. After many experiences with trout 

 under such conditions, and particularly after a 



