DRY FLY FISHING 99 



across by a single-handed rod, and considerably 

 more on the shallows where wading is possible, 

 and it should be fairly well fished, to prevent it 

 from becoming over-stocked. On such water 

 in a pure chalk stream if there is no May- 

 fly, it should be possible, all through May, June, 

 and July, to have good days with trout averag- 

 ing nearly two pounds and in the finest condition, 

 and this may be done without relying upon the 

 evening rise. It is not meant by this that every 

 day in May and June, and still less in July, will 

 be a good one, but that there will be several 

 days in May and June, and some days in July, 

 when a good basket can be made before the 

 evening. It will have to be done with small 

 flies and fine gut, and the angler, who lands in 

 this way from five to ten trout, averaging two 

 pounds apiece, on a fine summer's day, need wish 

 for no more delicate and exciting sport in trout 

 fishing. One often reads of days with many 

 three, four, and even five pounders on parts of 

 the Test or Kennet, but I gather that these 

 splendid baskets are made with the May-fly, or 

 with a large fly late in the evening, and that 

 the waters in which they are possible do not 



