64 WORM-FISHING FOR TROUT. 



exact time for this fishing varies a little, as the 

 spring has been cold or genial ; and the several 

 lakes vary also inter se, which is a great convenience 

 to the fisherman ; but from the middle to the end 

 of May is commonly about the time. The.West- 

 meath lakes, when the fly " is up," will well repay 

 a visit, as the fish, which are at this time in the 

 highest condition, run from two to five, and some- 

 times ten pounds, and take the natural fly freely ; 

 and if the angler puts Dr. Peard's charming book, 

 " A Year of Liberty," into his portmanteau, he will 

 need no abler or more agreeable guide. 



An analogous system to that above described 

 is pursued occasionally on some streams in 

 England ; but on others it is strictly prohibited, 

 and on many hardly considered fair fishing. The 

 circumstances of the two cases, however, are 

 entirely different. 



WORM-FISHING FOR TROUT. 



FOR the present scientific method of worm-fishing 

 for Trout we are chiefly indebted to Mr. Stoddart 

 and Mr. Stewart. This branch of the art was, 

 until late years, principally confined to rivers in a 

 state of partial flood rising or falling. The per- 



