ACADIAN FISH AND FISIIINU. 217 



About the 10th of May in Nova Scotia, whon warm 

 liazy weather occurs with westerly wind, the trout in all 

 the lakes and streams (an enumeration of which would 

 be impossible from their extraordinary friMpiency of 

 occurrence in this province) are in the best mood for 

 taking the fly ; and, moreover, full of the energy of new 

 found life, whicli appears in these climates to influence 

 such animals as have been dormant durinix the long 

 winter, equally with the suddenly outbursting vegetation. 

 A few days later, and the great annual feast of the trout 

 commences — the feast of the May-fly. Emerging from 

 tlieir cases all round the shores, rocky shallows, and 

 islands, the May-flies now cover the surface of the lakes in 

 multitudes, and are constantly sucked in by the greedy 

 trout, which leave their haunts, and dis})erse themselves 

 over the lake in search of the alighting insects. Although 

 the fish thus gorge themselves, and, for some days after 

 the flies have disappeared, are quite apathetic, they derive 

 much bf^nefit in flesh and flavour therefrom. The abun- 

 dance of fish would scarcely be credited till one sees the 

 countless rises over the surface of the water constantly 

 recurring during the prevalence of the May-fly. "It's 

 a steady boil of them," says the ragged urchin with a 

 long " troutin'-pole," as he calls his weapon, in one hand, 

 and a hujrc cork at the end of a string with a bunch of 

 worms attached, in the other. 



There is now no one more likely place than another 

 for a cast. Still sport may be had with the artificial 

 May-fly, especially in sheltered coves, where the fish 

 resort when a strong wind blows the insects oflf the open 

 water. Some anglers of the more patient type will take 

 fish at this time on the lake by .sitting on rocks, and 



