136 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



within a few yards of the spot. The sun is now at 

 a convenient angle for observation, and he can see 

 not only another movement of the water, but also 

 the fish that made it, lying within 2in. of the surface, 

 and every now and then tilting its nose upwards 

 and taking some invisible object from the top of the 

 water. This is what is called a " smutting " trout, 

 a fish which is feeding on some very minute form 

 of insect life, which more often than not the angler 

 cannot detect. In this instance there is a clue, 

 however. A tiny black speck not much bigger 

 than a pin's head floats down over the trout and 

 is at once taken. The fish is well worth trying' 

 though many anglers are doubtful of the good 

 gained by attacking a trout which feeds in this 

 manner. The ordinary fly it probably would not 

 take (except perhaps a Wickham), but with one of 

 the smallest black hackle flies in his box the novice 

 ought to be able at any rate to get a rise. 



A finer point would help matters, partly because 

 the trout is not enthusiastic enough to disregard 

 thick tackle, partly because so small a fly falls more 

 lightly and behaves better on gossamer gut. The 

 first cast produces no effect. At the second the 

 trout can be seen to raise its head and inspect the 

 fly. At the third it takes it very quietly. The 

 angler tightens, with no result. Whether the fish 



