TROUT FI&HING. 295 



in this style, the current plays the casting line 

 for him nicely, and in a manner which he 

 thinks irresistible. It is scarcely necessary to 

 observe that the chances of taking a trout are 

 multiplied by approaching him from behind 

 and letting your flies drop naturally across 

 him. Except for small trout in a brook, a 

 beck, or a mountain streamlet, there is not 

 much use in performing tremolo movements 

 with the rod. Big trout do not care for such 

 trifling ; and for them also, unless the weather 

 be very warm, let your flies sink well below 

 the surface. With regard to the spots foi 

 trout, it is a good plan, if the river is not large, 

 to survey it carefully without a rod when the 

 water is low and clear. You are 'pretty sure 

 to note the big trout near their haunts, and 

 may feel assured that they will not desert them 

 when the stream rises. It is often quite use- 

 less to try tempting-looking reaches of a 

 stream ; for some cause or other the fish never 

 remain near them. On the other hand, every 

 river has its " finds," in which you will be sel- 

 dom thrown out or disappointed, if you ap- 

 proach them at the right hour and with due 



