36 AN ANGLER'S SEASON 



The fact is that anglers in all parts 

 of the country have still a great deal to 

 learn. The Scots custom of taking small 

 trout as well as large, a custom which ex- 

 tends far into England, is bad. If small 

 fish continue to be taken in increasing 

 numbers every season, the stocks, even 

 as regards numbers, are bound to decline. 

 The fecundity of trout, great though it 

 is, cannot permanently outstay the in- 

 considerateness of the anglers on streams 

 that are open to the public. In this 

 respect Scotland is far behind the South 

 of England. Thousands of Scots anglers 

 pursue their sport without the slightest 

 regard to ultimate consequences ; but, 

 after all, the South of England does have 

 an ideal. It is certainly anxious that the 

 streams should be worth fishing in for 

 ever. That is easily understood. Men 

 whose habitual haunt is a great city 

 realise the value of trout-streams much 

 more keenly than the country folk to 

 whom these are familiar. It is therefore 

 to the South of England, which really 



