254 DRY-FLY FISHING 



difficulties thickly throng the angler's path, and 

 the greatest of all is the wariness of the trout them- 

 selves. 



An upstream breeze foretells that the creel will 

 not be empty when the day is done, but, should 

 the water be flowing full and slightly tinted from the 

 brown peat of the moor, then sport should be 

 fine ; and these are the conditions that we hope 

 to meet on Duneaton. Such a happy combination 

 has not yet been granted us, but we always keep 

 a watchful eye on the weather and cloud-carry 

 that we may hurry off whenever they send the 

 signal. It has been sent and we have not answered, 

 but that is unavoidable. We will not hesitate 

 when it is possible to accept. 



It may be difficult to retain confidence in a 

 stream that always denies us its best, but a few 

 trout here mean more than many taken in other 

 waters, because the quest is made in such alluring 

 environment. We never seem to learn the water 

 thoroughly ; we cast diligently up a long pool, 

 wind favouring and assisting the work of the rod, 

 and suddenly we find the breeze strong against us. 

 We feel our luck is out, that the wind has changed 

 its direction, but the trouble is due only to a great 

 bend in the stream ; and as likely as not in the rough 

 water where the two winds meet we take the best 

 trout of the day. 



When we are out for a day on a small water 

 we are accustomed to decide beforehand that we 

 shall fish for a certain distance, and then return to 

 try once more those streams and pools which have 

 attracted most or given the greatest encouragement. 

 That arrangement we find impossible to carry 



