116 ON TROUTING WITH THE FLY. 



according to the season and district from the middle 

 to the end of April, that fly-fishing really com- 

 mences. In that short space of time trout improve 

 wonderfully in condition, and leaving the still water, 

 where they have had their haunts during winter, 

 move up into the stronger parts of the pools, about 

 the sides of which they lie in wait for their prey. 



If the weather is mild, which it rarely is at this 

 season of east winds, the end of April is the best 

 fly-fishing time of the whole season. The trout take 

 with a readiness and certainty which they never 

 exhibit at any subsequent period. Flies are still a 

 rarity to them, and they are not yet shy from being 

 over-fed, or from a frequent view or more practical 

 experience of artificial flies. Other reasons why 

 more trout can be captured with the fly at this season 

 than any other are, that there are more trout in the 

 water the summer's fishing and netting not having 

 begun yet and that the trout are more concentrated 

 in particular places. 



As regards the imitation of the March brown, 

 which is held in such high estimation amongst anglers, 

 if the water is heavy, trout will sometimes take it 

 readily, not because they see any resemblance be- 

 tween it and the real March brown at least we 

 never could but because it is a good size of fly for 

 the season ; any of the flies we have mentioned, 

 dressed of the same size, will be equally killing. 

 The flies used this month should in general be full 

 size ; if the waters are coloured, Nos. 9 and 10 will 



