THE DRY-FLY SEASON 223 



August 



Not many trout-fishers feel jubilant at the 

 approach of August, generally agreed to be the least 

 profitable month of the angling season ; they 

 look forward to it with little hope, knowing that 

 the trout are only on exceptional days in taking 

 humour. In all probability the sorely harassed 

 fish have experienced a long period of low water, 

 and of a certainty they have been called upon 

 to withstand the attacks of innumerable holiday 

 anglers, with the consequence that they have 

 become very shy and suspicious. 



For long, supplies have been unstinted, and 

 the wary trout can afford to go without for a time ; 

 winter is still afar off, there is no indication of 

 its approach, and therefore the call has not yet 

 come to prepare against the hard times that lie 

 ahead. There is reason for the general despair, 

 and the angler sets forth expecting only a light 

 creel, but now and then he may strike a lucky day. 



On the river prospects may be very bad in- 

 deed, sport depending entirely on the weather 

 conditions. If the previous month has been rain- 

 less and the drought continues, then the streams 

 become mere trickles of water, and every stone 

 on the bottom is covered with a green, slippery 

 deposit, while the edges and the quiet backwaters 

 become filled with the same vile accumulation. 

 Fishing then ceases to be a pleasant pastime, the 

 trout are dull and lifeless, though towards night- 

 fall they sometimes develop some activity. The 

 floating fly is the only possible lure, any other 

 coming continually in contact with the foul growth, 



