BROOK TROUT AND FLY-CASTER 17 



stream practically trout deserted. A good place to cast, 

 at this time, is where some little mountain brook empties 

 into the river. Fishing in the early morning and late 

 afternoon is the most resultful. In the cool of the even- 

 ing the trout work out from their day-time lairs and 

 may be found feeding in the riffles. 



With the above generalities as a basis we can now 



consider with more detail certain special aspects of the 



trout problem. In trout fishing, as in 



Where to man y other things, it is a good plan to 

 rp make haste slowly. One can never tell 



with certainty just where the fish may 

 be lying. Until you have arrived at some reasonable 

 conclusion on this point, fish all the water. Try the 

 little, shallow ripples near the banks. Wet the flies in 

 every part of the riffles and rapids. When you come to 

 a pool fish all of it from the head, then go around and 

 fish all of it from below. Do not neglect the little 

 eddies around boulders and half -submerged trees. Many 

 times the best fish are taken in the most unlikely places. 



Where the stream has fretted away the soil so as to 

 form a hiding place beneath the overhanging bank, 

 watch out for the "big one." Proceeding in this man- 

 ner, you will soon discover the nature of the places 

 where the majority of the fish are lying, and if your 

 time is limited you can pass by those which seem least 

 productive. On some days most of the trout will be 

 found in the riffles; on others the riffles are deserted by 

 all save the smallest fry and you will strike most of 

 your trout in the deeper rapids or the pools. 



In the experimental stage of the day's fishing it is 



