32 TROUT FISHING 



voracity, and of accommodating our resources to 

 the variable desires of the fish, in order that we 

 may not only always select the bait which by 

 preference he may be taking in most abundance 

 at any particular time, but also that we may 

 employ that which will assist us most materially 

 in attracting him and favour our own seclusion 

 and deception. 



As to the resources we have of varying our 

 allurements, we have only to remember that the 

 trout feeds on all fish smaller than himself, on all 

 insects found on and near the water, or such as 

 in passing over may fall into the water, as well 

 as worms, grubs of all sorts, and the spawn of 

 other fish. Having then so large an assortment 

 for our selection, it will be well for us as early 

 as possible to understand why at one time one 

 bait should be adopted, and another at another 

 time, before attempting to learn the mode of 

 using each particular bait. And as a preliminary 

 point let us briefly consider which of all these 

 articles of food is best adapted for deceiving the 

 fish. And perhaps to one not practically ac- 

 quainted with our art, the solution of the question 

 may seem obvious, and to depend simply on the 

 fondness of the trout for any one article in par- 

 ticular, which of all others would therefore 

 appear to be most advantageous to the fisherman 

 as a bait. This has in part been alluded to before, 

 and we mentioned that the voracious trout is not 

 solely and at all times guided by simple appetite 

 or peculiar inclination and love of any article of 



