MAY-FLY FISHING 159 



time when this fishing is at its prime ; about the 

 middle of the month, or even sooner, the flies get 

 scarce, and the angler must, with great regret, have 

 recourse to something else. For the time it lasts it 

 is splendid sport. The trout are of large size, and 

 being in prime condition, run most vigorously, and 

 test to the utmost both the angler's skill and tackle. 

 There are some rivers where the flies are not to be 

 had ; and unless there are plenty of stones, they are 

 never found in great numbers ; but where they are, 

 trout take them in any size of water, from Tweed to 

 the smallest hill-burn. 



Cod-bait, maggots, and the larvae of some other 

 insects are very much esteemed by some anglers as 

 baits for trout ; but, for our own part, we have 

 always found a clear red worm more effective. It is 

 also more easily got, and certainly more agreeable to 

 handle. 



