66 AN ANGLER'S YEAR 



learned wisdom ! Still less wonder, then, that the tackle 

 has to be carefully selected, and as close an imitation 

 of nature as can be possibly made, if it be hoped to 

 lure successfully such educated fish as those of the 

 Itchen and the Test. 



But there is room for all methods in angling, and far 

 be it from me to recommend that any one system 

 should be universally pursued in all waters, or to con- 

 demn the methods of others, good sportsmen and 

 skilful anglers as poaching, because they do not 

 appeal to me as the most enjoyable form of sport. 



It may be safely said that experience is the best 

 teacher, and thzt with a few exceptions at special 

 periods of the year the flies for our Midland reservoirs 

 bear no resemblance in form to any perfect kinds of 

 insect. 



In April fishing the most successful results have 

 been obtained with a brilliantly coloured salmon-fly on a 

 No. hook (No. 15 new scale) of the Jock Scott, Silver 

 Doctor, or Golden Parson type ; later in the season the 

 well-known Loch Leven patterns do very well ; while in 

 July, the smallest North Country midge flies seem the 

 only lures that meet with any success. 



With the big flies, a strong lake or even sea trout 

 cast may be used ; and some local experts are in the 

 habit of adding a lake trout fly as a dropper. 



In conclusion, it may be safely said that as good a 

 day's sport may often be had on these reservoirs as 

 any to be obtained in Ireland or Scotland ; and that at 

 the expenditure of one third the time and money. 



