DOWN THE BECK 



AN ANGLING REVERIE 



Like the dormouse, the approach of spring draws 

 forth also the angler. So early as February trout- 

 fishing begins in the West of England, and good 

 sport may be had during March and April. May, 

 however, is the month of months for the trout 

 fisher, certainly in the Midland Counties, and 

 wherever the May fly is found, and probably in 

 the West as well. With the first sunny gleams 

 of February that herald the full burst of spring, 

 Halieus and Poietes may be seen rod in hand down 

 their streams, rejoicing that the many cold days, 

 during which they have been longingly fingering 

 flies and tackle at home, are at length ended. So 

 many eulogies have been heaped upon fishing, which 

 culminate in the enthusiasm of gentle Isaak, the 

 father of the craft, that the world must indeed be 

 tolerant if it can read any more. 



But between his zeal on the one hand, and the 



23 



