204 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



good a chance as his predecessor, and with the 

 minnow or the May-fly the first angler would entirely 

 mar the sport of the one following him. 



Another point equally suitable to all seasons is, if 

 you have got an unlimited stretch of water to fish, 

 to do so very quickly, only taking the best casts. 

 This is peculiarly applicable when the trout are not 

 taking freely. The secret of success lies, to a con- 

 siderable extent, in getting over the ground rapidly, 

 and the angler who stands casting repeatedly in a 

 spot when he is getting nothing need never expect to 

 fill his basket. 



Before trout come into condition there is no 

 inducement to fish for them ; and not being in the 

 streams, no reliance can be placed upon their taking ; 

 and as they are rarely in condition all over a county 

 till the first of May, we shall begin with that month. 

 Should trout come into condition sooner, the lures 

 suitable for May will be found suitable for April also. 



In the beginning of May it is of little use starting 

 before eight o'clock in the morning, as the weather 

 is generally cold ; if the weather is warm, however, 

 trout will take an hour or two earlier. When the 

 waters are clear the angler should commence with 

 the creeper, and continue using it till he sees the 

 take has commenced, when he should at once change 

 to the fly and make the most of his time. At this 

 season the take lasts longer than at any other, and if 

 the day is favourable the angler may kill the required 

 quantity in a few hours in the forenoon. During the 

 afternoon that is to say, from two or three o'clock 



