THE FLY QUESTION 99 



me to prove that trout are more than a little prone 

 to run after new things, an error of judgment which 

 undoes them as it undoes human beings. This is 

 more the case probably on waters which are pretty 

 hard fished. There the inhabitants undoubtedly 

 get to know a great deal about the conventional 

 patterns which are so much brought under their 

 notice. Give them something new, however, and 

 they will occasionally display extreme foolishness. 

 One of the experiences which has given me most 

 satisfaction was something of this kind. It was the 

 first time I ever visited that famous bit of ticket- 

 water at Winchester known as Chalkley's. I knew 

 it by repute, of course, as an extremely difficult 

 fishery, where, for a new-comer, the capture of a 

 trout was esteemed good work and of a brace fine 

 sport. The fish were plentiful and they rose freely, 

 but they had been educated with all the thoroughness 

 that befitted such a home of learning as Winchester. 

 I approached the water in consequence in great 

 humility, and was not surprised to find that ginger 

 quills, red quills, and the rest made no impression 

 on the tantalising creatures that I could see rising. 

 After half a day I retired worsted. The morrow, 

 however, found me there again still full of zeal and 

 eager to try a new plan. This was to give the trout 

 something to which they were not accustomed. I 

 had gathered from conversation with some of the 



