36o SALMON AND TROUT. 



feeding freely on the Ephemera is when the nymph is working 

 its way out of the mud and swimming to the surface of the 

 water for the purpose of effecting the transformation to the 

 subimago. When this first occurs the fish seem afraid of an 

 insect so much larger than the forms of life which have pre- 

 viously formed their staple diet. After a time, attracted by the 

 great quantity of these creatures, they gradually become bolder, 

 and, after trying an occasional one and finding them to their 

 taste, soon commence to chase the active nymphs, taking them 

 eagerly, with a loud splashing noise and much movement be- 

 neath the surface of the water. Before long a fish in the act 

 of seizing the nymph is surprised to find it elude his grasp, and 

 to see the winged insect emerge from the shuck on the surface 

 of the stream and leave the empty exuvium behind. The next 

 time this happens he will possibly take the subimago, and thus 

 he gets his first impression of the May-fly itself This exuvium 

 must, however, be a succulent morsel, as not infrequently the 

 fish will take it in preference to either the nymph or the sub- 

 imago. 



If only fishermen could be persuaded to leave the trout 

 alone at this stage, they would in a few days get thoroughly 

 well on to the Green Drake, and feed on the floating fly with 

 a sense of security. It is, however, vain to indulge in any hope 

 of inducing the modern school of anglers to practise this degree 

 of patience and temporary self-denial, although if they would 

 only once try the experiment their sport would no doubt be so 

 improved that they would have no cause to regret it. As it is, 

 every proprietor or lessee of a fishery, and equally every member 

 of a club or subscription water, expect the keeper to send them 

 a telegram at the very first sign of a May-fly. Without a 

 moment's delay, each and every one of them must postpone 

 every engagement made, whether business or social, and hurry 

 down to the river-side. At once the eager angler must put up 

 his favourite pattern and keep casting it over the feeding fish : 

 a few — very few — he kills, some he pricks, and many more he 

 makes so shy that they will not rise for another week, and thus 



