Striking A ngling in Flooded Waters. 207 



flooded and discoloured water the first and only 

 indication of a seizure of the bait is conveyed to 

 the hand, and not to the eye, and then the angler 

 cannot strike too soon. In up-stream fishing this 

 is not so likely to be the case, for the condition 

 of water is more favourable for seeing the trout 

 actually make an attack upon the minnow, and a 

 quick stroke down-stream should be the response. 

 In any case, where a trout has not been observed, 

 to take the minnow, it is safest to strike the 

 moment it is felt. 



Down-stream fishing with the spinning-minnow, 

 as with the worm, may be practised for a short 

 time at the beginning of a flood. The trout then 

 leave their retreats, to which they had retired 

 when the waters were low, and venture out to the 

 sides of the pools and the tails of the streams, on 

 the outlook for food. It is in such places that 

 the angler will find them; and if he be wise, he 

 will make the most of his opportunities while 

 they last, for when the river is in full flood, 

 all fishing may as well be suspended. The best 

 time, however, for the minnow is just after a flood, 

 when the waters are subsiding and beginning to 

 pass from a clayey to a dark porter colour, and 

 when the day is dull, cold, and stormy. In this 

 climate it is not a matter of great difficulty, even 

 in the month of June to obtain the latter essential, 



