THE COMMON TROUT. 239 



As we belong to a family much addicted to 

 rheumatism, we have not greatly indulged ourself 

 in studying night pieces, but pale coloured flies are 

 those most generally recommended. Yet Mr. Stod- 

 dart says, " warm summer nights bring good sport 

 if the fly angled with be large and black. A crow's 

 feather wrapt round a bait-hook may be used suc- 

 cessfully, especially in deep still waters and lochs, 

 near the side, where the largest fish prowl in search 

 of food." " White flies," he adds, " in imitation of 

 moths are next thing to useless, though many 

 anglers advise them. Recommend us always to 

 pitch black flies for night fishing. Many is the 

 fish we have hooked, not a yard's distance from the 

 shore, with this expedient." 



In regard to the propriety of angling in twilight 

 hours, the following precepts flow from an ex- 

 perienced Penn. " Do not leave off fishing early in 

 the evening because your friends are tired. After 

 a bright day the largest fish are to be caught by 

 whipping between sunset and dark. Even, how- 

 ever, in these precious moments, you will not have 

 good sport if you continue throwing after you have 

 whipt your fly off. Pay attention to this ; and if 

 you have any doubt after dusk, you may easily 

 ascertain the point, by drawing the end of the 

 line quickly through your hand, particularly if 

 you do not wear gloves."* 



As bait-fishing for trout, though regularly fol- 

 lowed by some, is less generally admired and prac- 



* Maxims $ Hints for an Angler, p. 19. 



