MARCH 61 



is true. Whenever there is a real rise 

 of trout, the large ones are caught 

 first. 



The rule of precedence among trout as 

 regards flies holds good in relation to 

 minnow-fishing also. As we have already 

 noted, trout taken on a minnow are 

 almost invariably above the average of 

 the fish in the water. Some may suggest 

 that it is because only the larger trout 

 take minnows, and in last chapter it was 

 admitted that these trout prefer minnows 

 to flies ; but the explanation is incom- 

 plete. This is shown by the fact that 

 in a water holding only small fish, trout 

 of a quarter -of -a -pound or even less 

 seize the minnow freely. The full ex- 

 planation, I think, is to be found when 

 we remember that minnows keep as 

 much out of the trouts' way as they 

 can. You ply your own minnow, not 

 where it would itself be, in some shallow 

 or hiding-place, if it were living and free, 

 but in the open water. Your minnow 

 is an unexpected visitant, welcome to 



