EFFECTS OF MUCH FISHING. 31 



self, accommodate several thousands every day 

 during the season. 



Much fishing, besides to a certain extent thinning 

 the trout, operates against the angler's killing large 

 takes by making the remaining trout more wary ; 

 and it is more from this cause than from the scarcity 

 of trout, that so many anglers return unsuccessful 

 from much-fished streams. The waters also now 

 remain brown-coloured for such a short time that the 

 modern angler is deprived, unless on rare occasions, 

 of even this aid to his art of deception; and the clear- 

 ness of the water and the increased wariness of the 

 trout are the main causes why the tackle of fifty 

 years ago would be found so faulty now. Fifty 

 years ago it was an easy thing to fill a basket with 

 trout, not so now; then there were ten trout' for. 

 one there is now the colour of the water favoured 

 the angler, and the trout were comparatively un- 

 sophisticated ; now filling a basket with trout, at 

 least in some of our southern streams open to the 

 public, when they are low and clear, is a feat of 

 which any angler may be proud. To do so he must 

 oppose craft to craft, and cunning to cunning, and 

 must study very closely the habits and instincts of 

 the trout. Angling is, in fact, every day becoming 

 more difficult, and consequently better worthy of 

 being followed as a scientific amusement. So far 

 from looking upon the increase of anglers with 

 alarm, it ought to be regarded with satisfaction : 



