38 TROUT FISHING 



as a deception. If the water be very clear and 

 shallow, the bottom stony, the polished surfaces 

 of the stones reflecting light in all directions, 

 and if the movement of the water be little or 

 none, so that its surface is quite undisturbed, 

 the trout would be able to see the smallest insect 

 that might come within range of vision, with 

 perfect clearness, and form an immediate and 

 correct opinion of its appearance ; he would, too, 

 of course, see surrounding bodies with correspond- 

 ing accuracy and ease; and as, too, he in this 

 quiet water is little necessitated to labour, he is 

 cool and methodical in his mode of taking his 

 prey. The degree of power in his vision will be 

 affected too by the intensity of light : in a bright 

 sunny day he sees best, in dull cloudy weather he 

 discerns less distinctly, and in shades of evening 

 least of all. Should the water too be coloured, 

 as after rain, ruffled on its surface by wind, or 

 broken and uneven by reason of its rugged course, 

 his power of minute discrimination is lessened, 

 and it will be so in direct proportion to the degree 

 of each, or combination of any or all of them. 

 And it is just these accidental circumstances 

 which will prevent or aid us in our endeavours to 

 capture the trout, either with the natural or the 

 artificial bait. 



If a trout be lying in very shallow, clear, still 

 water on a bright summer's day, it is evident that 

 the difficulties we have to contend against are so 

 great as to be almost insurmountable, quite so 

 indeed, had we not variety of allurements ; we 



