GENERAL ADVICE. 221 



streams, no reliance can be placed upon their tak- 

 ing ; and as they are rarely in condition all over a 

 county till the first of May, we shall begin with 

 that month. Should trout come into condition 

 sooner, the lures suitable for May will be found 

 suitable for April also. 



In the beginning of May it is of little use start- 

 ing before eight o'clock in the morning, as the 

 weather is generally cold ; if the weather is warm, 

 however, trout will take an hour or two earlier. 

 When the waters are clear the angler should com- 

 mence with the creeper, and continue using it till 

 he sees the take has commenced, when he should 

 at once change to the fly, and make the most of 

 his time. At this season the take lasts longer than 

 at any other, and if the day is favourable, the 

 angler may kill the required quantity in a few 

 hours in the forenoon. During the afternoon 

 that is to say, from two or three o'clock till six or 

 seven the minnow will frequently be found the 

 best ; and a very good plan is to fish up with the 

 creeper and fly, and then back over the same 

 ground with the minnow. If neither the creeper, 

 fly, nor minnow, will take, recourse must be had 

 to the worm ; but this is rarely the case, and un- 

 less on the occasion of a full flood, the angler may 

 never have occasion to use the worm till the end 

 of June. When the waters are in full flood re- 

 course must be had to the worm ; and when they 

 are rising or again falling, from the time that the 



