MAY 69 



gallant fight, and gave grand sport for light tackle in 

 the swift water, leaping three or four times when 

 checked. This fish went 13in., and though rather poor 

 in condition, was retained in order that the stomach 

 contents might be examined. 



While this trout was in the landing-net another rose 

 in the next run in an almost identical position ; another 

 fly was rigged up, this time a Pale Olive, as the stock of 

 Blue Quills had all given out, and the last used would 

 no longer float. Sir Herbert Maxwell says that trout 

 have no colour perception, and adduces certain experi- 

 ments to prove that he is right. These experiments 

 would be more convincing if carried out on well-fished 

 waters, such as that of the Piscatorial Society on the 

 Lambourn, where the fish know the make of fly, and 

 prefer the products of certain fiy tyers. My trout 

 certainly did not think much of yellowish hackle, as he 

 once rose short, and the second time I distinctly saw 

 him follow the fly down for about a foot but finally 

 refuse it. I then picked out the best oi my Blue Quills, 

 dried it well in the air, and put it over him ; this had 

 him at once. That fish knew the difference between 

 blue and yellow, anyhow. He was hardly as game as 

 his mate, but was in better condition, though Jin. 

 shorter. Him, also, I added to the bag. At half-past 

 four the day turned cold, all rise ceased, and after 

 another small fish was taken and returned I packed up 

 my rod, walked back to the train, and jogged off for 

 London to the post mortem of my trout and subsequent 

 supper. 



The examination of the stomach contents was 

 interesting and, one is inclined to think, instructive. 

 The first fish, which weighed lloz., was, as has been 

 said, poor in condition, and the stomach only contained 

 two or three caddis and the debris of partially digested 

 duns ; while the second trout, though only 12in. long, 

 weighed 14oz., and its stomach was stuffed with fresh- 

 water shrimp, as well as fly debris, also two water 

 snails (limnea) and a planorbis. When it is remem- 

 bered that the two fish were feeding in adjacent runs 



