ARE TROUT CUNNING? 123 



highest skill to catch them. Not like the 

 good old days." There can be no doubt 

 that in saying this one's friend has a 

 definite thought which he states in all 

 sincerity ; but if we reflect a little we shall 

 find cause for suspecting that he is in 

 every case mistaken. 



The assumption that trout in much- 

 fished waters have become wary is based 

 upon the fact that many of them, having 

 been hooked and lost, lived to fight on 

 other days with more than their native 

 discretion. The statement of fact may be 

 conceded to the full, even to the extent of 

 admitting that in certain streams every 

 trout old enough to rise at flies has con- 

 ceivably at some time or another been 

 pricked by a hook ; but the inference is 

 exceedingly doubtful. 



One is loath to tell stories which 

 almost anyone of experience could cap ; 

 but it is just because an incident which I 

 now recall could easily be matched from 

 the recollections of many another angler 

 that I set it down. The certainty that it 



