158 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



tuft of grass or projecting bush or bank affords 

 shelter to a trout should be fished with great care. 

 A rapid sweep of water past some dry channel can 

 always be relied upon, as the channel produces flies 

 in abundance, and some trout are sure to be on the 

 outlook for them. Greater nicety in casting is re- 

 quisite in using this bait than any others, as, if the 

 angler casts half a foot too far out, when the waters 

 are flooded, his labour will be in vain. When the 

 waters are clear, trout will occasionally take in the 

 centre of the stream ; but the edges are always 

 mostly to be depended upon, as the trout wishing to 

 feed upon the May-flies come to the edges to look 

 for them. 



Trout generally take May-fly best early in the 

 morning ; but if much dew has fallen during the 

 night, they will not take freely until the sun has 

 dried it up. There are usually two distinct takes 

 with this bait ; one in the morning, from about 

 three to six, when they stop for a short time, but 

 resume again in an hour or two, and continue taking 

 for four or five hours. They take again in the 

 evening, but not so readily. A bright sunny day 

 with a breeze u or a thoroughly wet one, we consider 

 most favourable. 



Trout take the May-fly most readily when it has 

 been about a week on the water; and should a 

 small flood occur, they will take voraciously. If a 

 heavy flood occurs when the flies are all out, it will 

 carry them away, and finish May-fly fishing for the 

 season. The beginning of June is generally the 



