74 ANGLING. 



is easier done fishing down-stream than up, and if tha 

 angler can keep himself out of sight, perhaps the advantages 

 wiU be on his side, as trout are generally on the look-out 

 at the head of tiie stream in the eddiee, and scours for prey 

 coming down, A bite is easily distinguished by the sudden 

 stoppage of the line. In swift waters the bait is generally 

 swallowed at once, in deeper and quieter waters the trout 

 seem to play with it ere gorging it. It is difficult to know 

 when to strike under these circumstances, and it is certainly 

 better to wait until the bait has received one or two tugs 

 than to be too hasty. When the water is still and clear, 

 every artifice must be tried to keep out of sight. Kneeling 

 wiU be found to be a good practice where the banks are 

 open, and it is best to keep on the shallow side of the 

 stream, opposite to where the trout generally lie. The 

 angler must be up early if he wishes to be successful. A 

 dry July morning, or one when the rain is warm, will be 

 found suitable for the sport — the lull after a shower. In 

 calms, the trout lie in the eddying rush at the head of the 

 pools ; when the surface is rippled by the wind, they lie at 

 the taU. of the pool. In deep streamy depths, behind 

 stones, in eddies they may be found watching for their 

 prey. In shallow water great care is requisite, as the trout 

 are often at the very feet of the angler. The days to be 

 avoided are those which are dull, heavy, and windy, and 

 those which are clear with a westerly breeze. When 

 August is advanced, trout begin to refuse the worm in clear 

 streams. In flooded streams, where the water is discoloured, 

 trout leave the deep current, and are to be found in the 

 shallows, in the quiet water, at the tail of streams. Pools 

 and streams in these circumstances should be fished round, 

 ind trout will take the worm during the whole of the seasoa 



