EVENINGS ON THE EARN. 153 



else the trout are off at once to the deep water, 

 as may be seen by the darting line of undula- 

 tions which betoken their retreat before your 

 flies. 



" The minnow in summer its monsters will kill, 

 And the worm loads the pannier when nothing else will ; 

 But give me the spring-time, the light-dropping tackle, 

 And the masterly cast with the finest of tackle." 



On the west side of the Library pool, just 

 below the Boat, is a favourite spot of mine. 

 Here the bottom is gravel and sand, and just 

 where the deep water ends and the shallow 

 begins the trout lie feeding, making excursions 

 on to the shallows as the orb of day departs 

 behind the Grampians and the night shadows 

 fall. This is the time that the big trouts leave 

 their dark abodes to feast on the minnows and 

 other small fish which they find on the shallows. 

 Night fishing, to those who like it, is very ex- 

 citing. When the water is low and clear, heavy 

 fish are often got at night on the natural 

 minnow, or with wasp grubs, or maggots scoured 

 in oatmeal and bran. It requires good temper 



