10 TROUT. 



but the season does not really commence till the 1st of April, 

 and in most other rivers not till the 1st of May. They are 

 influenced very much in their recovery from Spawning, . by 

 the state of the weather ; as an instance, a few seasons since % 

 I caught one (in the Thames) weighing nearly thirteen pounds 

 early in April ; in the following year, but one day later in 

 the month, I took one weighing seven pounds and a half, 

 and the difference in appearance was extraordinary. The 

 first year, the weather had been very warm and the fish in 

 April were in first-rate condition ; the second year had been 

 altogether as cold and the fish were proportionately thin and 

 black. 



All Trout have their haunt or retreat, generally some large 

 stone, or root of a tree ; each fish appearing to have its regular 

 portion of water, and seldom trespassing on that belonging 

 to its neighbour. If one of these sections of the stream be- 

 comes vacant, a new occupant soon takes possession. And 

 it is simply by being aware of the position of these haunts, 

 that an Angler knowing a river, possesses such a decided 

 advantage over one who does not, however skilful he may be 

 in other respects. In the Spring, Trout are found in rough 

 streams and shallows ; seeking deeper water in the summer. 

 They also delight in whirlpools and holes beneath a rapid 

 shallow ; under bridges, rocks and below weirs. Those that 

 frequent overhanging banks and bushes, or lie hidden under 

 cover of trees during sunshine, are much darker and yellower, 

 than those that love the unshaded stream with a clear sandy 

 bottom ; these are altogether as silvery and bright, though 

 belonging to the same family. 



Trout are taken with the fly ; by spinning a minnow or 

 other small fish ; and with the worm, gentle, &c. 



The most useful length for a Trout fly-rod is between 

 eleven and twelve feet, in four pieces and with an extra top. 

 Do not have a rod too whippy, for a novice it is better rather 

 stiff than otherwise. The fly-line should be thirty yards in 

 length (in some rivers you may require more) on a light 

 multiplying winch. The material of the winch-line may 

 be either prepared plaited silk, or silk and hair, spun 

 or plaited, and tapering toward the point, to which is 



