246 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



could be rented for a small annual sum, and which 

 with a little trouble and outlay could be converted 

 into excellent fishing. Even a small brook is 

 capable very often of producing a fine head of trout 

 if a little pains were given to developing it. 



Lastly there are hotel waters and waters on which 

 " leave is sometimes given " as the ambiguous 

 phrase hath it. Waters of the first class have come 

 in for a deal of abuse one way and another. A 

 man goes to a hotel on the strength of an 

 advertisement, gets no sport, and afterwards speaks 

 his mind with emphasis. Bnt I have sometimes 

 found that he is one of those whose requirements 

 are somewhat large ; he wants good sport all day 

 and every day irrespective of the water or weather ; 

 occasionally, too, he has an objection to paying 

 hotel prices. In some cases I have heard men 

 abuse hotels on w r hose water I have enjoyed myself 

 very much, getting quite as much sport as I 

 expected. Therefore, it is obvious that men's 

 standards differ. But, according to my own 

 standard, I am prepared to say that much of the 

 hotel fishing of which I have had experience is 

 quite good enough to satisfy an angler of moderate 

 ambitions. It is a wise thing not to demand too 

 much of any water, hotel or other. 



With regard to the water on which " leave is 



