AMERICAN TROUT FISHING 

 there until the first cold storm in September. The north-west wind is the 

 wind for the Maine lakes. I am very fond of dry-fly fishing and know that I 

 have persistently followed that method when at times the wet fly might have 

 killed better. There is a fascination about it which took a strong hold 

 upon me after reading Mr Halford's books twenty-two years ago, but the 

 ** Complete Angler " should be armed at all points, to enjoy the best sport 

 wherever he may wander. He should be ready to fish dry or wet as the 

 conditions, or feeding habits of the trout, demand. He should know how 

 to spin a minnow, artificial or natural, where that method is necessary in 

 order to take the very largest fish. 



I fancy that one misses a good deal of exciting sport by becoming a 

 fly purist, unless he confines his efforts to certain localities where, for 

 instance, the very best trout will rise at surface food, such as the Ephe- 

 meridae and other flying insects. 



I have taken large trout with a small artificial fly when they were feed- 

 ing upon minnows, but it was some time before they noticed it. The 

 most important requisite is to find these big fish in the mood to feed and 

 in position. They are queer beggars, and if not feeding regularly upon 

 small insects will sometimes be tempted by most peculiar flies. Only 

 last June they were taking a very large, almost black insect, which is 

 usually to be seen only in small numbers. This year it appeared in quan- 

 tities in several streams, fluttering upon the water and reminding one 

 of his Satanic majesty. The trout were not at all afraid of it, as they 

 attacked it vigorously. Imagine such an insect upon the Test or Itchen! 

 I fancy that the trout would fly to the shelter of the banks or weeds, or 

 possibly ignore it altogether. Smaller hooks than No. 1 (old style No. 14) 

 are not often required in this country, yet a few of the tiniest midge flies 

 may occasionally prove useful. For the most part Nos. 1 , 3 and 5 (new style) 

 will be sufficient for floating flies. 



The best long Mays (May-fly hooks) Nos. 4 and 5 carry a large fly, and 

 a few of the large moths known in the north of England as bustards, or 

 big sedges in the south, may not come amiss for " busters " in the 

 gloaming. 



When we come to rivers and lakes where the trout are very large and 

 feed almost entirely upon small fish, we may be compelled to give up our 

 imitations of insects, in favour of life, movement and colour. Small salmon 

 flies may kill well — ^Parmacheene Belle, in raiment stolen from the fins 

 of the native brook trout, Royal Coachman, Silver Doctor, Fiery Brown, 

 AA 177 



