194 FISHING GOSSIP. 
lem of its supernatural character by supposing it to 
emanate from certain “troubled spirits,” condemned 
for some unknown offences committed in the flesh 
thus to wander in the air by night till the term of 
their punishment has expired. He is not, however, in 
the least terrified, but rather amused, by the screams 
of these “troubled spirits” during the day, when, 
gracefully flitting amongst the waves, they contend 
with each other in picking up the May-fly, of which 
they appear as fond as the trout themselves. 
Amongst these local accompaniments of a night 
excursion on the water, we proceed to the fishing- 
ground. Upon the selection of this important part 
of the subject of night-angling, a word or two may be 
interpolated between the pauses in Pat’s yarn on the 
feats of the “ Great White Horse” of the lake, whose 
nocturnal visits to the neighbouring farmers’ brood 
mares and corn-fields were then a popular “Irish 
grievance,” though never, I believe, brought before 
Parliament. It will have been observed, however, 
that the flies have not yet been wetted or the rods 
lowered to their proper places, though we have been 
some time afloat. As we were pursuing a course 
‘through the centre and deepest parts of the lake, it 
would have been superfluous to do so. Trout do not 
generally rise to flies from great depths at night—sel- 
dom even by day. - Their favourite haunts for feeding 
at this hour are extensive sharps, the margins of 
