16 THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 



extracted the next best fish in the immediate 

 vicinity takes possession of- the vacated post. These 

 fish will often fight desperately for a favourable situa- 

 tion, hence it is that the larger tenant the best posi- 

 tions. Near circulating eddies, behind large stones, 

 in side and mid-stream, below jutting portions of 

 banks, etc., ever near the main volume of water, and 

 the perpetuated line of bubbles wherever it may 

 tend, the trout lie assiduously observant of passing 

 objects, whether in or on the top of the water. 



When a quantity of flies are " up " in rapid water, 

 the fish poise themselves near the surface, the more 

 readily to close upon their winged prey ; but, upon 

 the other hand, when no surface food is presented to 

 their view, they are quick to seize adventurous fry of 

 their own or any other species, without distinction. 

 In the latter half of May their attention is generally 

 attracted and absorbed by the then active grub or 

 pupa of the May-fly or drake, and as these nymphae 

 are, generally speaking, numerous in the waters fre- 

 quented by trout, the fish are seldom found rising 

 at this particular period. In about a week or ten 

 days from the first signs of activity, the pupae referred 

 to vacate their case and rise to the water's surface, 

 when, after emerging from yet another skin, they 

 appear in their subimago state as green drakes. The 

 fish, not comprehending the change, continue to feed 

 upon the undeveloped worm for a few days, until the 

 now profusely laden surface allures them from the 

 river's bed, and monopolises their whole attention 

 during the stay of- the May fly, which is usually 



