116 In Pursuit of the Trout 



position is an ideal one, not only from the 

 point of view of the pisciculturist, but also 

 from that of the worshipper at the shrine of 

 nature in her most self-assertive and untram- 

 melled state. The making of the fish-ponds, 

 and the erection of a small wooden building 

 or two, have, indeed, in no way spoilt this 

 fair spot. Lavish vegetation has not only 

 been permitted, but actually encouraged, in 

 order to ensure the conditions of the fish-life 

 being as natural as possible, and also to get 

 a good supply of the usual food of trout in a 

 wild state. 



We turned into a snug little hut, where 

 my host at once set about laying the table 

 for lunch. The utensils were a couple of 

 pocket-knives, a cup, and a flask. Tablecloth, 

 forks, glasses, and luxuries of this kind we 

 neither had nor required. The angler does 

 not take such things out with him on 

 his excursions, and we, if not actually on 

 angling bent, were, as I presently discovered, 

 at any rate amongst the rising trout, and 

 could, therefore, very well put up with 



