166 AN ANGLER'S SEASON 



to be understood, or even seen, at a 

 glance. It is true that he is gorged 

 this month ; but it is necessary to dis- 

 criminate. He cannot take many more 

 flies ; but there is something for which 

 he will eagerly endeavour to find space. 

 That is a worm, small and daintily 

 pink or purple. Do you ask why this 

 appeals to him ? If so, think why it is 

 that we Britons, who would not for a 

 high fee eat the roe of our own salmon, 

 are pleased whenever that of the Russian 

 sturgeon is on the table. We take the 

 caviare because it is ill to come by. It 

 is probably for the same reason that the 

 trout at midsummer takes a worm. At 

 that time of the year worms are well 

 down in the soil, which near the surface 

 is too dry to be comfortable ; thus there 

 are few, if any, washed into the streams 

 in the process of Nature. The one 

 which you yourself offer may be the 

 only worm within a mile. It has the 

 attractiveness of things exotic. 



If you ply that worm skilfully, you 



