INTRODUCTION xxv 



soon after the rainfalls, and runs off in a day or two, 

 leaving them clear and dwindled till the next flood.'' 1 

 One can understand Mr. Stewart's misgiving. It 

 seemed certain that the new drainage would have worse 

 results than leaving the streams for long periods 

 smaller than Nature designed. "It is supposed that 

 the heavy floods we now have shift the gravel and 

 carry off a large quantity of the spawn of the trout, 

 and also of the eggs of the aquatic insects. When the 

 waters are very small, the eggs of the aquatic insects 

 are left dry, and their vitality destroyed) so that the 

 number of insects upon which trout feed is materially 

 lessened, and at the same time the number and size of 

 trout, which depend in a great measure upon the 

 quantity of food." The prospect was undoubtedly 

 depressing; but, as it has not been quite fidfllled in 

 half a century, anglers may take heart of hope. What 

 Mr. Stewart said about the great floods, and the long 

 spells of too little water, was, and still is, true ; yet, as 

 far as can be gathered from the available data, which 

 are vague, the trout in most of the streams are flourish- 

 ing almost as well as they ever were. It is admitted 

 that the May-fly, a very nourishing food, has dis- 

 appeared from many waters, and perhaps other insects 

 less noticeable have gone; which may justify and 

 account for the statements, to be heard from old anglers 

 in many parts, that the trout have fallen off in size. 

 We must, however, make allowance for the tendency to 

 glorify the old days and depreciate the current ones. 

 All the things flrst seen in youth, even the hills about 

 one^s native place, are larger in retrospect than m 



