100 WHERE TO FISH. 



decided to forego the next morning's fishing, 

 and went for a walk with him instead, through 

 woods and lanes round Axminster, Chardstock, 

 and Colyton. It was my first country holiday 

 that year. The masses of primroses, as well 

 as the sight of the first swallow, made me in 

 love with the district from that day forward. 



Acting upon his advice I fished the Coly 

 more than the Axe during the four days that 

 the ticket covered, getting a few trout each day 

 of over the limit (nine inches) headed by a 

 brace of ten ouncers. The Axe I found very 

 difficult for the want of knowing which part to 

 fish. Roaming about is often a mistake; and 

 so it proved on this occasion. There is always 

 an inclination on new water to try the whole 

 length during a first visit, which results 

 naturally in taking plenty of exercise with but 

 little to show for it at the end of the day. 



For a week in early spring the Shute Estate 

 maintains a good reputation, provided one is 

 lucky enough to avoid a gusty or cold snap. 

 I know few places where the effect of a north 

 wind is more biting and disastrous than in the 

 open Axe valley between Colyton and Colyford. 

 That is perhaps why I always look back to the 

 first visit, when the weather could hardly have 

 been kinder, and when the whole face of the 

 country, and of the river, smiled a welcome. 

 It is only fair to remember too that, on one of 

 the days I was fishing, a local angler brought 

 home seven brace from the Coly of a distinctly 

 better average than my best day's basket. 



