82 The Determined Angler 



and small, when in clear, still water that is shallow, 

 easily see a cast fly before it alights upon the surface. 



" At times, under certain conditions both on streams 

 and lakes, trout will leap into the air and take small 

 as well as large flies in the air. But seldom will large 

 or very large trout rise above the surface for any kind 

 of fly either real or artificial. 



"In order that there may be no misunderstanding I 

 would say that I classify the size of trout as follows: 



"Small trout, 8 inches and under. 



"Medium sized trout, 9 to 13 inches. 



"Large trout, 14 to 18 inches. 



"Very large trout, 19 inches and over. 



"Trout found in rapid streams are more alert than 

 trout found elsewhere; they in most cases represent 

 the perfection of trout life in all its different phases. 

 Trout in rapid streams are snappy risers to both the 

 real and artificial fly but owing to the current they 

 frequently 'fall short' and fail to strike and take the 

 fly. Such trout when they do take the fly are the 

 easiest to hook because they often hook or help to 

 hook themselves owing to the current. 



"Your experience can hardly be said to differ mate- 

 rially from my own in the instances you mention, but I 

 cannot help_thinking that you have failed to take into 

 account the many times when you have returned with 

 an empty or very nearly empty creel or to consider 

 the number of times you have actually cast your fly 

 on the days when the creel was full to overflowing. 



"If you have cited your usual experience then I 

 heartily congratulate you upon your skill and upon 

 your good fortune in knowing such remarkable fishing 

 waters wherein there dwells 'the most beautiful fish 

 that swims/' 7 



