190 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 



other, smashing up your delicately fine cast. The lesson 

 here experienced teaches that the extra-fine grayling lash 

 of the previous autumn is not equally adapted for heavy 

 trout. But lose no time. Quick! Look out something 

 more substantial. Ah, to be sure! this looks more like 

 it. Pull out the coils by drawing the gut slowly through 

 your fingers. We must now "rig up" again with fairly 

 substantial artificials; which done, we move on a little 

 ahead. Now, very carefully by the foot of yonder old 

 alder. There, splendid! You have him. Gently! Mind 

 the weeds and hold the point of the rod well up. Be 

 careful! He exhibits a strong desire to embrace that old 

 stump. Ah! keep his head well up, and take in line 

 with your left hand. Look out! There is some spurt in 

 him still; show him due courtesy by paying away line 

 with due reserve nevertheless. Now he wearies, and. lies 

 athwart the glistening surface of the water, as pretty a 

 contrast to its silvery ripples as can well be imagined. 

 Here we are at % last, with a splended one-and-a-half 

 pounder, which ultimately proves but a type of a dozen 

 or more that grace our basket at sundown. The only 

 rivers of the north that the March brown does not fre- 

 quent are the Tay and Tweed. Upon every mountain 

 burn and moorland stream this fly is a standard killer. 

 The rough bumble is also an excellent lure. 



APEIL. 



This is the best month in the year for fly fishing. The 

 proverbial showers which characterize the month have 

 the double effect of drowning the flies, and stripping the 

 water of its transparency; indeed, the more inclement 

 the weather, the greater chance of sport. The flies are 

 more sturdy than in the summer months, getting more 

 delicate as the season advances. 



The flies recommended for last month will be found 

 equally serviceable in this, especially if the season is 



