98 FLY FISHING 



In some cases perhaps this is so because the water 

 is not fished enough, but in others it is simply 

 because the water itself is more suited to pro- 

 duce quantity than quality of trout. An angler 

 who wishes to enjoy the real excitement of dry 

 fly fishing should try to get water where the trout 

 average at least one and a half pounds in weight. 

 In such water two pounders will be fairly common 

 and three pounders not unknown. Where trout 

 average two pounds in weight the fishing may be 

 better still, but I am doubtful of the advantage of 

 having a heavier average weight than two pounds, 

 if the angler has to rely upon one stretch of water 

 only for his season's sport. Where there is no May- 

 fly the trout up to three pounds in weight may 

 be expected to rise more or less all through the 

 summer. Trout above that weight are, taking 

 the season all through, bad rising fish, and the 

 angler has to rely for his sport either upon the 

 May-fly or upon late evening fishing. 



An ideal piece of water would be one with 

 broad shallows here and there, but with plenty 

 of deep stretches, not stagnant, but with a good 

 current all down them ; its breadth in the deeper 

 parts should be about as much as can be cast 



