TROUT-STALKING 155 



of his pattern. He should wait, if he can, until 

 he sees the next company coming along, and arrange 

 that his fly is at their head to show them the way. 



Again, on a breezy day on the moorland, trout 

 similarly receive their food in a series of courses ; 

 they are not particular as to species, welcoming 

 anything that the wind may chance to bring along. 

 The angler likewise need not concern himself at all 

 about the pattern on his cast, but he will find it a 

 very good plan to delay sending it forth until he 

 sees the next gust waving the grass of the holm, 

 driving before it a varied assortment of moths, 

 midges, froghoppers, and the rest. 



The successful stalker, who has marked down 

 his fish, reached his chosen stance without betraying 

 himself, identified the accepted species of fly, 

 delivered his copy lightly on the surface at the right 

 place and at the correct moment, raised, struck 

 and hooked his trout, is liable to come forth from 

 hiding in order to finish the conflict. In so doing 

 he is guilty of two mistakes. He ought to remember 

 that a hooked trout is more easily managed, less 

 inclined to bolt for shelter in weeds, if he remains 

 invisible. Also he should think not exclusively of 

 his captive, but of the other trout the pool contains, 

 one or two of which he may yet hook, if he studies 

 to keep the victim away from their vicinity and 

 himself concealed from their keen eyes. 



