NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 189 



stage it lays the eggs that propagate its species, like all 

 the other spinners, it is scarcely more than a film or 

 shell, after having fulfilled its natural functions, and it 

 is no matter of surprise that the lusty fresh browns are 

 more appreciated by the fish. 



It is the last Sunday in March. Nature is again assum- 

 ing her green garb, and the birds are joyously carolling 

 their overflowing meed of earthly bliss at the return of 

 ever welcome spring. Tempted by the promise thus held 

 out of an enjoyable commune with nature, you, after the 

 morning's devotions are over, indulge in a quiet stroll by 

 the neighboring trout stream. After a time you observe 

 what mayhap had previously escaped your notice, namely, 

 that there is quite a number of up-winged " browns" 

 about. You approach for a nearer inspection. A glance 

 at the water proves the fish to be equally curious. Dex- 

 terously capturing a specimen in your hat, you pronounce 

 it a March brown. The fish, too, seem to have made a 

 similar discovery, as all the way down stream you are 

 treated to a constant repetition of the sweetest sound in 

 the whole range of music to the angler, "the plump 

 little swish of a rising fish," and you console yourself 

 with the reflection that, as the March brown is well on 

 to-day there will be murder to-morrow. By ten the next 

 morning you are therefore upon the scene of action. As 

 the slanting rays of Old Sol penetrate the murky clouds 

 the flies commence to rise from the bed of the river, 

 sweeping in battalions up and down stream, or buoyantly 

 breasting the miniature rippling waves. Having hastily 

 put together your rod, and rigged up your cast with a 

 trio of March browns, you approach the stream; first 

 wetting your line by way of prelude, and carefully meas- 

 uring your distance, you cast in the midst of the per- 

 petuated eddies. "There!" you hook, almost at the 

 same instant, two fish, one on the bob and the other on 

 the stretcher, which immediately dash counter to each 



