TROUT IX THE NIGHT-TIME 71 



it is frowned upon by some as unsportsmanlike, 

 and laws may be passed making it a crime to cast 

 fly or bait after sunset; but with that phase of 

 the question we are not dealing here, our purpose 

 being to gather "trout lore." It is well for the 

 trout-fisherman always to remember that his 

 favorite fish is an inveterate and omnivorous 

 feeder save at spawning time; if ill luck attends 

 the fisherman's efforts to entice the speckled 

 rascals from their hiding places for any great 

 length of time he may know that he is either 

 not offering them what they desire, or he is not 

 offering it when desired. 



For fear that I have painted the joys of night 

 fishing in too bright colors I must show the re- 

 verse side of the shield. 



Probably the most disagreeable feature at- 

 tending the sport, especially on our smaller 

 streams, is the ubiquitous mosquito. He is bad 

 enough in midday, conscience knows, but when 

 night has spread her sable mantle he is in his 

 glory. The mosquito loves darkness because his 

 deeds are evil. Again and again I have been 

 driven from streams where I thought to solve 

 some ichthyic problem by the blood-thirsty pests. 

 The darkness itself is a serious drawback, for the 

 flies, or even baited hooks, develop a devilish pro- 



