BROOK TROUT AND FLY-CASTER 15 



The brook trout is essentially a creature of varied 

 moods and tenses. He is here to-day; gone to-morrow. 

 To-day he favors some certain fly, to-morrow another 

 and quite different insect. At one time he is lively and 

 playful; at another sluggish and sulky. To an uncer- 

 tain degree only can his actions be forecasted. But, 

 although he is eccentric, and many of his actions are 

 exceptions to all rules, several facts are generally true 

 of him. Given the proper outfit and competent skill in 

 its use, there remains for the fly-fisherman only the ne- 

 cessity of compassing as far as may be these general 

 truths about trout. 



In October or November trout ascend to the headwa- 

 ters of the streams for the purpose of spawning. Then 

 they drift gradually back to lower wa- 

 Larly t an( j ear j y S p r { n g finds them in the 



Fishing. , , 6 . , . 



pools and deeper portions of the stream. 



At this time the water is usually bank-high and full of 

 "snow-broth." Even after the snow has disappeared 

 from the immediate vicinity of the river snow-water is 

 still running, for in the deep mountain ravines from 

 which the little "feeder" brooks flow down ice and 

 snow remain until the season is well advanced. Thus 

 early in the season trout are torpid and when hooked 

 show little or no spirit. As soon as the river is fairly 

 clear they will take bait, and this is the most successful 

 way of fishing for them at this time. 



If you insist on fly-fishing you can hope for only 

 moderate returns. The trout are ground-feeding and 

 rise to the surface with the utmost reluctance. One 

 method of fly-fishing under these conditions is to use a 



