THE OBJECT OF FISHING 13 



cause for congratulation in several dozens of trout 

 caught under such conditions. There is a little 

 skill required even in this, probably the lowest 

 branch of angling ; it consists in a knowledge of the 

 parts favoured by trout at the various stages of 

 the flood, and in an ability to detect and answer 

 at the right moment an offering fish. 



Another refuses to regard it sportsmanlike to 

 take trout when their vision is blinded by the murki- 

 ness of the water, considers it unfair, finds no 

 pleasure whatever in heaving them on the bank, 

 and is quite prepared to affirm that the former would 

 take trout with a net or by other illegal means 

 whenever there was no serious risk of being dis- 

 covered. 



Some find infinite pleasure and sport in fishing 

 by night ; others regard it as but little removed 

 from poaching. Some restrict themselves to natural 

 baits, some to artificials of various kinds, while 

 others use all legal lures in their respective seasons. 

 In all probability everyone has a lure which he 

 prefers above all others ; for one reason or another 

 it appeals specially to him. It may bring him 

 consistently good results ; he may imagine or know 

 that it produces the finest class of trout ; it may 

 be the most suitable for his favourite water ; it may 

 give little trouble to acquire and manipulate ; he 

 may merely have enjoyed one great and glorious day 

 with it. 



No one should dare to dictate to the angler what 

 he should use and what he should not, when he 

 should fish and when he should refrain from fishing. 

 Some do not find any pleasure in fishing in floods, 

 but others may then find their greatest happiness. 



