GENERAL ANECDOTES CONNECTED 

 WITH FISH AND FISHING. 



Angling. The Fly -Fisher. After a long and 

 dreary winter, what ecstasy the first dawn of spring 

 gives to every being ! The winged inhabitants of 

 the woods proclaim their pleasure in various strains, 

 harmonious and harsh ; the mellow piping thrush 

 and croaking raven sound their happiness accord- 

 ing to nature's gifts. Amongst the different inha- 

 bitants of the earth, few greet the approach of 

 spring with greater fervour than the fly-fisher. 

 With what anxiety he watches every change that 

 seems favourable to his sport ! his inquisitive eye 

 examines every insect that bursts from its chrysalis 

 to gambol in the fleeting sunshine of a February 

 morning. He anxiously looks on floods, and 

 marks their retreat, day after day, with secret joy. 

 Then to his dubbing bag he hies, and culls from 

 this varied store what his judgment dictates to 

 form the luring fly. Hairs and furs of different 

 sorts, from the shaggy bear and sportive squirrel ; 

 from the mortared-wall, or the radiated corner of 



