242 THE TROUT ARE RISING 
or early October, and the blessed rains have fallen, 
it is grateful to see from your railway carriage 
window, instead of a land dried-up by winter, the 
fresh, green grass of the Natal veld. England’s 
green fields contrast with similar charm with the 
arid London streets. 
The Mooi was stocked by the Natal Govern- 
ment in 1899, and its upper reaches—from 
Rosetta upwards—are distinguished for attractive 
trout-fishing. Both Loch Levens and ordinary 
brown trout were introduced, One has only to 
realize how, on many a hard-fished stream of 
England, one could work all day and be satisfied 
with two brace of trout, to appreciate at its full 
value the fact that on the Mooi on a good day 
you may get your four, five, or even six brace. 
My best day was six-and-a-half brace. Many 
anglers get much bigger bags. And such trout, 
too! Fat as butter, and rare fighters. A half- 
pounder will often put up such a gallant fight 
that, should he free himself from the hook, the 
generous sportsman will say: ‘ He deserved his 
liberty.” 
Those who christened the river the Mooi 
(the Dutch word for beautiful) knew the value of 
an adjective. Thrice does the name occur in 
South African river nomenclature : once in Natal, 
once in the Transvaal, and once in East Griqualand, 
The Natal Mooi is the best for trout. Often, 
when fishing, does one pause to take in its rugged 
beauty. AA fine river is often the most arresting 
feature of a landscape. The Mooi ministers to a 
