SOME ENGLISH TEOUT STEEAMS 



Some of the record brown trout in England are a sixteen 

 pounder, caught at Chertsey Weir ; one at Shepperton Weir, 

 Eiver Thames, a twenty-three and a half pounder, was caught 

 with a spoon ; a twenty pounder has been taken in the Kennett 

 in the nets of the Earl of Craven. 



Trout fishing in England has produced wet and dry fly fishing, 

 around which is growing a literature of its own, and the en- 

 thusiastic dry fly fisher has added to the joys of life, even if the 

 point cannot always be seen. The most satisfactory catch I ever 

 made was in Canada, where my canoeman raced at a rise, and I 

 sent my fly thirty or forty feet and dropped it into the circle where 

 it was taken at once by what proved to be a two and a half 

 pound charr. This was the essence of dry fly fishing, but with a 

 wet fiy, and I fancy I experienced all the joys of a dry fly angler. 



The methods of taking trout are, alas ! only too numerous 

 everywhere ; but I believe that there sliould be but one, the fly, 

 and but one fly. When the trout are not taking flies, when they 

 absolutely refuse, a minnow should be used, their natural food 

 in many countries. But it is not for me to lay down the law. 

 I am only venturing to suggest gallant treatment for a gaUant 

 fish ; and that to trap, or snare him with some of the awful 

 hook-Uned * contraptions ' found in many lands, is Little less 

 than a crime. It is well, however, to bear in mind that we cannot 

 aU go a-fishing when the desire seizes us ; and that the man who 

 has but a day a year, should possibly not be hampered by the 

 ethics of conservation. 



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