220 APPLICATION. 



waters, and failing these to burns,, in which some 

 trout may always be had. We shall suppose that 

 the angler keeps this in view throughout the season, 

 so that it will be unnecessary to make any further 

 allusion to it. 



Fishing can be most successfully practised alone ; 

 but if the angler fishes in company, he should come 

 to some arrangement with his friend respecting a 

 division of the water before starting, as he who 

 fishes the water first has undoubtedly the best 

 chance. In a large river, and fishing with the fly, 

 it does not make much difference ; and even in a 

 small water the trout will rise freely if allowed to 

 remain undisturbed for an hour or so. But it is 

 different in fishing small clear streams with the 

 worm ; there the second angler has not nearly so 

 good a chance as his predecessor, and with the 

 minnow or the May-fly, the first angler would en- 

 tirely mar the sport of the one following him. 



Another point equally suitable to all seasons is, 

 if you have got an unlimited stretch of water to 

 fish, to do so very quickly, only taking the best 

 casts. This is peculiarly applicable when the trout 

 are not taking freely. The secret of success lies, to 

 a considerable extent, in getting over the ground 

 rapidly, and the angler who stands casting repeat- 

 edly in a spot when he is getting nothing need 

 never expect to fill his basket. 



Before trout come into condition there is no in- 

 ducement to fish for them ; and not being in the 



