CHAPTER IX 



SPINNING FOR TROUT 



IT is a well-known fact that as a rule brook 

 trout are curious regarding any rapidly moving 

 object which happens to pass within range of 

 their vision. To test the truthfulness of the 

 statement you have only to toss a bright pebble 

 or bit of tin into a pool containing trout; if 

 warily done every fish in the pool will rise to 

 meet the descending object. Again and again 

 I have "compelled" trout to bite by simply draw- 

 ing my bait through the water so rapidly that 

 they have struck at it before they recognized its 

 character. Certainty no worm or other natural 

 food ever propelled itself, or was carried by the 

 current at such a pace. Why did the trout 

 strike? Did they think the object some strange 

 food? Was it mere curiosity? I am inclined 

 to the latter opinion. The mental processes of 

 the fish, speaking humanly of course, were some- 

 thing as follows. "See that rapidly fleeing ob- 

 ject. It is trying to escape. It must be that 



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