100 AN ANGLER'S SEASON 



or artificial, eagerly ; but such of them 

 as are old enough to have spawned are 

 still frail, some of the large ones so 

 pitiably that it is a shame to catch them. 

 After the Mayfly period, which is not 

 exactly at the same time on all streams, 

 there is a lull that lasts until the weather 

 breaks in August. The trout seem to be 

 sated with insect food ; at any rate, they 

 are much more unwilling, during daylight, 

 to rise at any flies which the angler offers. 

 Also, in June and July they sometimes 

 fall off in condition. After that, especially 

 if rain be frequent, there is a distinct im- 

 provement for three or four weeks ; in 

 many cases a September trout is actually 

 better than a July one. 



Though at present we feel that no 

 sunshine could be so warm as to be un- 

 welcome, June, or July, or August, when 

 upon us, is apt to have a temperature in 

 which to wield a trout-rod is to toil ; but 

 May, as a rule, has weather which is 

 exactly suited to the gentle exercise. 

 Besides, the temperate month brings out 



