260 FLY FISHING 



a weight had been attained, and we who fished 

 the burn could talk of trout of that size, and yet 

 feel that we were speaking like anglers of this 

 world. But this fish turned out to be heavier 

 even than one pound, and when at last he came 

 up from the depth into my view, I felt that 

 the great moment had come which was to make 

 or mar my happiness for ever. I got into the 

 shallow water below the fish, and after great 

 anxieties secured with the help of my hand a 

 fresh run sea trout of three pounds. Never was 

 a dead fish treated with more care and honour. 

 It had swallowed the hooks, and rather than risk 

 spoiling its appearance in getting them out, the 

 gut was cut and they were left inside. The small 

 trout and eels and flounders were turned out of 

 my basket and put into my companion's, so that 

 the great sea trout might lie in state. It was 

 felt that the expectation of years was justified, 

 that the marvellous had become real, that the 

 glory which had been unseen was revealed, and 

 that after the present moment the hope of great 

 things in the future would live for ever A few 

 years ago there was published a delightful book 

 called "The Golden Age," in which the author 



