164 AN ANGLER'S SEASON 



others. On two waters out of each 

 three, or thereby, sport with the trout 

 certainly does fall off when the early 

 flowers have faded and the birds have 

 ceased to sing. 



What is the meaning of this ? Before 

 endeavouring to show what it is, let us 

 perceive what it is not. The phenomena 

 in the trout waters have nothing to do 

 with the vernal influence that produces 

 the gentler iris and affects the young 

 man's fancy. Spring is love -time with 

 the birds and the flowers ; but it is not 

 so with the trout. It is in autumn that 

 these have their season of amour. By 

 May the impulse which flourishes into 

 splendour in the flower-garden, and into 

 music in the copses, is long past in the 

 haunts of the trout, and it does not 

 begin to stir again until October is well 

 advanced. Thus, we must not seek con- 

 solation for our empty or ill-plenished 

 creels in thoughts of a scientifically 

 emotional kind. My friend Mr. Watson 

 is a great poet, an illuminating interpreter 



