TROUT AND ANGLING. 333 



which yield them sustenance. It is therefore an 

 object to obtain these small fish ; — if alive, so 

 much the better, but as it often happens from the 

 state of the weather, or some other cause, that 

 live bait is not to be procured, recourse is then 

 had to a small slip taken from the most shining 

 part of the fish itself ; this, if not so killing, is for 

 the reason stated, the bait which is generally used 

 for the Sebago trout. 



It may be here remarked, once for all, that the 

 success of the sport, like all fresh water fishing, 

 very much depends upon the state of the weather, 

 and its influence upon the water. For though 

 at times there seems to be an unaccountable 

 caprice in their habits, yet how common it is, at 

 that season of the year when nature is dressed in 

 her gayest attire, when the air is filled with fragrance, 

 the field with flowers, the grove with music, and the 

 heart with delight — when the balmy south wind 

 generally undulates, without agitating the surface 

 of the lake or stream — and above all, when 

 " from the bosom of yon dropping cloud" a gentle 

 rain descends — how common a thing it is to hear 

 the ardent angler, his feelings responsive to the 

 charms of nature, exclaim, " What a glorious 

 fishing-day !" 



A few years ago, on a visit to this lake in the 

 last week of May, the season being backward, the 

 water and the weather cold and unpropitious, there 



