THE DRY-FLY SEASON 201 



close time be not reduced in length. Admittedly 

 such a change would occasion trouble and per- 

 haps create some temporary dissatisfaction. Al- 

 though such a system would have more to recom- 

 mend it than that at present obtaining, the labour 

 involved is too great to admit of its introduction. 

 Some new legislation affecting trout-fishing may 

 yet be forthcoming and, whatever changes are 

 made, in all probability uniformity will be retained, 

 and the length of the fishing season curtailed, 

 with the result that some places will lose one of 

 their greatest attractions, and the month of March 

 cease to have the same meaning for us. 



All anglers look forward to the end of February 

 as the time when anticipation makes way for par- 

 ticipation ; they long for it, knowing that then 

 at last they will be at liberty to seek the loch and 

 the river in search of health and sport. Some, 

 fearful of the weather, may delay. The first bright 

 day, when the sun burns cheerily and bestows 

 a little warmth, will see even the timid making 

 frenzied efforts to get their fishing gear in order 

 again. Off they start full of eagerness. 



Few flies may be seen flitting about the surface, 

 but the trout, like the fisherman, are expecting 

 the coming of spring, and they will mistake the 

 artificial for the real insect. If the day is really 

 fine, as many days in March may be, development 

 of the aquatic creatures proceeds apace, the trout 

 become thoroughly aroused into activity, and will 

 take the wet-fly with a freedom that may not 

 be repeated during the season. 



We never know what fortune may have in store, 

 we are not strangers to disappointment, but we 



