ON TROUTING WITH THE FLY 121 



trout. It has, moreover, at all times a substitute in 

 a fine red worm, which is much more agreeable to 

 handle, and will kill two for one which the fly with 

 the maggot will. 



August is a better month for the fly than July, 

 and during the whole of it, but especially at the 

 latter end, trout rise freely. Night-fishing may now 

 be said to be at an end ; the nights in general are 

 cold and frosty, and the trout will not rise freely ; 

 so that there is little inducement to leave a comfort- 

 able bed to shiver at the waterside. By the begin- 

 ning of September there is a visible change for the 

 worse in the condition of the trout they are full of 

 spawn, and are fast losing strength, firmness, and 

 flavour. They now commence to leave the streams, 

 and return to the pools and more quiet water ; it is 

 worthy of remark that those which remain in the 

 streams are generally in good condition ; if they 

 were not they would not have strength to keep their 

 place in strong water. The flies used this month, 

 as well as in the end of August, should be a size or 

 two larger than those used during summer ap- 

 proaching in size to a spring fly. After a flood, 

 capital sport may be had ; the trout will rise almost 

 as freely as in the month of May, and though in 

 general out of condition, the angler will still meet 

 with some that will test freely both his skill and 

 tackle. They will continue taking through October, 

 but excepting the small ones, are in such poor con- 

 dition as to be totally unfit for use. 



The sizes of flies we have indicated are those 



