184 TROUT FISHING 



minute black-and-white gnats upon which 

 the fish are feeding. Then, there is the 

 ordinary rise, when, if it be at a natural fly, 

 the trout just tips the surface and retires 

 without anything like a somersault, and 

 when, if it be at an artificial fly, it is a 

 business-like swift action without fuss. 

 That, I think, is when the fish are feeding 

 on insects slightly below the surface. 

 Again, there is a rise which is hard to 

 describe but beautiful to see. No part of 

 the trout is visible ; but he must have 

 been very active for an instant. Swiftly 

 the water breaks, swirling as the ripples 

 rapidly expand, in a manner quite different 

 from that of the ordinary rise, which is 

 usually but a slowly- spreading dimple. 

 That is a few minutes after a hatch of the 

 larger insects. The trout do not move 

 when the single spies appear ; but when 

 the battalions are abroad the movements 

 are rapid and exhilarating. 



Surely this, if ever there be one, is the 

 time for the floating fly I Of course it is, 

 and I do not neglect it ; but it is 



