CHAPTER XIII 



THE DIARY OF A WET FLY FISHER 



FEW local fishermen on the Eden can spare time 

 to take a full day with the rod. But, at the very 

 beginning of the season, there are two days when 

 they are off soon after nine o'clock in the morning, 

 and these are Good Friday and Easter Monday. 



Many of these fishermen are their own masters, 

 in a small way, but have always their regular work 

 to attend to. When fly fishing is at its best from 

 the middle of March to the end of May they do 

 contrive to take, now and then, a little extra time 

 off. They are, of course, on the spot, and so can 

 choose their days. Sometimes, when they have a 

 few unexpected hours to spare, they may go out 

 when the prospects of sport are none too good. 

 Generally speaking, however, they carefully 

 husband their leisure, and get well ahead before- 

 hand with their work so that they may be able to 

 take half a day when the signs are really propitious. 



It goes without saying that such men are keen 



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