62 AN ANGLER'S SEASON 



trout generally, but a perquisite of the 

 largest among those which see it. 



A survey of angling with any other 

 lure, such as worm or the creeper, would 

 lead to the same conclusion ; but the 

 cases which have been stated are repre- 

 sentative and sufficient. 



Each year brings more rods to every 

 river where there is no restriction on the 

 number of anglers ; in very many places 

 the trout are to be seen ; every angler 

 pays special attention to the large fish ; 

 and at certain times the large fish, in 

 relation to tit-bits to rise at or to seize, 

 insist on being served before the small. 

 Is not our statement, then, that at 

 certain times the large trout are the 

 most easily caught, a truism ? 



To be sure it is ; but it is not the less 

 alarming on that account. Being beyond 

 dispute, does it not point to the proba- 

 bility that by and by the trout of many a 

 river will be so small that no one of 

 sportsmanlike instinct will think them 

 worth angling for ? It would incline us 



