34 AN ANGLER'S SEASON 



touched is that the dry-fly convention, by 

 which angling is regulated in Hampshire, 

 tends towards conservation of the stock. 

 That is the most important of all the 

 notions. If it were true, those interested 

 in trout -streams elsewhere would have 

 something to learn from Hampshire ; but, 

 unfortunately, it seems to be as much a 

 superstition as either of the others. Where 

 else than in Hampshire are tame two- 

 pounders turned into the water to-day to 

 be treacherously slain next week ? Then, 

 why are they turned in ? That can only 

 be because, apart from them, the stock of 

 "sizable" fish would be found unsatis- 

 factory. No other reason is conceivable. 

 Streams that are artificially stocked with 

 large trout, that is to say, have but a 

 spurious prosperity. With rods multi- 

 plying and becoming more active from 

 year to year, it is only natural that the 

 Hampshire waters, like others, should 

 gradually lose their large fish ; but, re- 

 gard being had to the great care taken 

 of the streams in Hampshire, and to the 



