276 EARLY TROUT FISHING. 



the big ones like to lurk under the overhang- 

 ing slabs of turf, where the rotten stump of a 

 tree diverts the slack of the rivulet, where 

 weeds float thickly with plenty of water be- 

 neath them. You must faithfully try these 

 several haunts with patience and with un- 

 flagging care. There are anglers who do their 

 work like that periwigged fellow who spoiled 

 the player's speech. Be none of these. Sport 

 may be converted into a fine art by talent and 

 discretion. Trout fishing is a fine art if pro- 

 perly carried out. Worms ? Who brings 

 his bottle or his tin casket of these abomina- 

 tions into the field is fit only to compete for a 

 silver watch with bricklayers and costermongers 

 at a Cockney fishing match. Your stream 

 may bring you into a silent fir-scented wood. 

 To cast with security among the overhanging 

 trees requires considerable dexterity. You 

 must learn to do so underhand, and what un- 

 underhand casting is cannot be taught on paper. 

 In the wood your path often runs upon velvet 

 moss softer than the carpet from Turkey, and 

 in a twilight gloom that has the odd effect of 

 making the shout and racket of the brook 



