146 TROUT. 



trout are on the feed; the fact being, after having been 

 spun for, trout become very cautious and cunning. 

 They will fly at the spinning -bait, and turn from 

 it without touching it. In the latter end of May and 

 June, also, the fly is sure to be used with success. It 

 is more dainty and agreeable to the palate after the fish 

 have been feeding upon fish-bait, and I would strongly 

 recommend its use. 



" I have frequently taken fish in places where few 

 persons would think of looking for them as, for ex- 

 ample, where there was scarcely water enough to cover 

 them in the nook of a weir. In such places I have 

 found them greedily take the bait. I need hardly say ' 

 that the greatest caution should be used in approaching 

 the spot, and that the fisherman should keep as much 

 out of sight as possible. Much skill is requisite to 

 throw the bait, so as to avoid disturbing the fish. This, 

 of course, comes with practice. Should you hitch your 

 line in any of the wood-work of the weir, off fly the 

 fish, and there is an end to your sport for the day. 



" The Thames trout-spinner may save himself much 

 time and trouble by well observing the water, and 

 marking the various localities. There are miles of 

 water where it would be useless to cast a bait for trout. 

 They are not adapted to the habits of the fish, and 

 they consequently do not resort there. You need not, 

 for example, look for them in deep, heavy waters, where 

 jack and perch predominate. The roach-fisher, the 

 perch-fisher, and the jack-fisher well knows where to 

 wet his line, and, as I have already observed, the trout- 

 fisher must study the habits of his fish, and observe 

 the peculiarities of the waters, before he can become 

 successful. 



