FLY FISHING IN FRANCE. , 8-5 



we both spoke French as well as we did English 

 we were not long in finding out that they had 

 been fishing the same stream as ourselves, but 

 with far different luck ; they had,' at least, a 

 hundred fish, and some very good ones amongst 

 them. We thought it rather odd our not being 

 able to take any, more especially as we knew them 

 to be muffs, and armed with such tackle and flies 

 as no one, with any idea of fishing, would have 

 used. They wanted us much to join them 

 at dinner, which they had ordered at a little 

 roadside cabaret, but as we were pressed for 

 time we refused and walked on. We presently 

 overtook one of the most notorious poachers 

 in the place, with nets and poles returning 

 home. 



" Holloa, Pierre," said I, "at it again ? too 

 bad, upon my soul ; no wonder trout are getting 



scarce." 



" Mon Dieu, messieurs" he replied, " I have 

 not been out to-day for myself, I have been 

 fishing for the gentlemen," naming those we had 

 just left. 



A two franc piece and a promise of secrecy 

 persuaded the fellow to tell us all about it. 



