But even when fish are willing and greedy, the number of rises over and above kills is nearly always remarkable.

Trout are very apt to come up and look at the fly, and then, from some cause or other-possibly a temporary form of indigestion caused by too much. Mayfly banquet-hit it with their noses and retire

FIG. 3.-Sunk Mayfly.

swiftly. The angler very probably thinks he has had a rise, and strikes-naturally without result. As a matter of fact in a case such as this the fish never opened his mouth at all, but rose merely to 'prospect.'

I have known fishermen who apparently did not deem it worth their while to continue casting if fish

were not seen to be rising or 'standing' near the top of the water. This in my opinion is a mistake, for I have very frequently killed trout in the Mayfly time by throwing over likely spots when neither fish nor natural fly could be observed. In fact, in any river where much weed exists, the openings between the flags, though only a few inches of water may be visible, should always be tried. A cast which places the fly so that it seems to drop into the river from off a reed, as a natural insect would do, is one of the most killing proceedings possible.

When the fly is about, I would say 'fish every inch of water.' Trout, however large and respectable, break through all established rules of existence when their Mayfly feast is placed before them. They are, so to speak, 'all over the place,' and will rise 'all anyhow.' I know of no more nervous or exciting moment than that when a big trout makes a rush across a still shallow after your Mayfly. He comes at it exactly like a torpedo boat, leaving behind him a wave showing his track. Many things happen under circumstances such as these. Often from overanxiety one strikes too soon, and the disappointed fish sails sulkily back again, possibly bearing with him a tender recollection in the shape of a prick from the hook. From the same cause, if the fish be

hooked, perchance too violent a strike is made, and the line comes back in the fisherman's face minus fly and some inches of cast.

But should all go right, then what a glorious moment it is! The capture of a great trout under such conditions-after having waited heart-leaping during the furious pursuit-is one of the happiest events of a fishing career.

Should it be a good Mayfly season it is perfectly marvellous in what multitudes that insect appears. On the Kennet or Test or Itchen, or even on the Derbyshire Wye, the very air is thick with them, while the rivers are covered by their bodies, dead or alive. Where the Great Western Railway runs close by the Kennet I have seen the inside of a carriage absolutely teeming with them, somewhat to the consternation of a friend of mine who was not well acquainted with the habits of this insect. When the fly is thickly up 'it is almost comic to watch the efforts of the small birds to swallow yet one more. They sit on branches, and literally gasp, so full are they of the succulent food. I am bound to say they do their little best in this direction, instinct doubtless teaching them that but a short ten days can be counted on wherein to revel in their rare dainty. In fine, brief though it be, the Mayfly season is one which,

coming as it does when the country is in the first and best bloom of its beauty, must always appeal strongly to the feelings of any fisherman.

Obviously these remarks as to fly fishing for trout do not apply to the procedure adopted when lake. fishing. Nay, as has been shown, Mayfly fishing is to a certain extent different; so is the use of the stonefly, and so is fishing for the big trout of the Thames. Everything hitherto suggested has had relation to the ordinary methods of fly fishing in English rivers.

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CHAPTER II

LAKE FISHING

I CAN only deal somewhat generally with this branch of trout fishing, for it is not as if it were pursued with artificial flies tied after the likeness of natural insects, in which case much more might be said on the subject; but as lake fishing is usually conducted by means of largish flies, utterly unlike any living ones, with perhaps three on a cast, it is clear that not many suggestions can be advanced as to this section of our subject.

A good deal must depend on what are the characteristics of the lake. If it is small, it is probable that there may not be a boat on it, in which case it must be fished from the shore. If it be large, then a boat and a boatman must be secured if much sport is to be obtained. It does not greatly matter whether loch' in Scotland, surrounded

the lake be a real

by mountains, fringed by willow, birch, and rowan trees; or merely a reservoir appertaining to some great