TROUT. 281 



the evening in search of prey. Young trout, on 

 the contrary, may generally be seen in the shallow 

 water, where they are more secure from the larger 

 fish of prey. 



Dr. Hastings added, that he had invariably 

 found that those who fished for trout with very 

 fine tackle, killed many more fish than those who 

 use a stronger, or rather a coarser sort. They 

 appear to be an instinctively cunning fish, and 

 very easily take the alarm. Many persons ima- 

 gine that no fly is so killing as that on which 

 the trout have been feeding, but old practical ang- 

 lers are aware, that when the May-fly is on the 

 water, they have a better chance of success, by us- 

 ing a fly of another description. Dr. Hastings 

 accounted for this, by stating, that not only fish, 

 but many animals, appear to delight in a variety of 

 food, and that he had observed in particular, that 

 pike would appear to give the preference to a dead 

 stale fish, instead of feeding on the usual produc- 

 tions of the waters they inhabited. 



After some further conversation, the party ad- 

 justed their rods, and began their evening s amuse- 

 ment, Dr. Hastings repeating the following lines, 

 as containing useful instructions to anglers : 



' A brown red fly, at morning grey, 



' A darker dun in clearer day ; 



' When summer rains have swelled the flood, 



' The hackle red, and worm are good; 



