the newly imported obstacles, and thereby add to the food-producing capability of the river.

In the case of a lake, whether small or large, much the same procedure is necessary when making it into a trout preserve. Naturally any sheet of water which has a brisk stream running through it, with a good inflow and outflow, has, from a trout-carrying point of view, a considerable advantage over one which is not so favoured. For trout, whether in lake or river require clean, running water to keep them healthy and well conditioned.

The difference between a trout taken out of a muddy lake and one from a clear stream is very marked. The first is dingy and dark, with a nasty dull taste when cooked; the second is bright in colour, with a sweet'clean' flavour. But given that the lake to be stocked is one with fair natural advantages, the initial step to be taken is to discover whether there be any pike in it. If there are, all possible means should at once be employed to destroy every one of those trout-destroying pests. Personally I should get rid of every other kind of coarse fish as well, except perhaps a few perch, which are valuable as being excellent eating.

The pike having being destroyed, the next thing to be considered is what kind of trout should be

encouraged. And here I can only say that the proprietor of the water must use his own judgment as to whether common trout (Salmo fario): Loch Leven trout (Salmo Levenensis), Fontinalis (Salmo fontinalis), or Rainbow trout (Salmo irideus) are most suitable. Of course if there are any other adjacent trout lakes near, the owner had better enquire what species do best in them. But if he has to make his own decision he may find himself in a difficulty.

Probably the best thing he can do is to order the common trout: as, though the Loch Levens are beautiful fish to look at and admirable on the table, they are very particular as to where they live, and do not flourish in many lakes. I have seen them do well in Yorkshire and Dorsetshire, as well as in their own home.

Rainbow trout and Fontinalis I know very little about; but I have been told by several of the principal trout-breeders that the latter do well in both English lakes and rivers, are bold free risers. and extremely game. As yet, however, I cannot quite make out whether they agree with the Fario, should they happen to be in the same water together, or whether they have rather a tendency to oust the native fish.

But whatever species of trout are placed in river

or lake, the principal matters to be remembered in connection with their welfare are, that the water should be kept as pure and uncontaminated as possible; that 'hide' and food for the fish are absolutely essential, so that much care must be taken to avoid over-thinning when weed-cutting; and that a good fishing keeper-one who is constant in his attention to the water, and to the needs and necessities of his finny dependents—is invaluable.

If these matters are attended to, then, given ordinary good fortune, there should be no great difficulty in persuading trout to live and prosper in most rivers or lakes in Great Britain.

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CHAPTER V

FISHING GENERALITIES

CHARLES KINGSLEY, in that most delightful of all fishing tales, 'Chalk Stream Studies,' at one juncture admonishes his pupil to 'take off that absurd black chimney-pot, crawl up on three legs, and when you are in position, kneel down.' It is far easier nowadays to procure proper and suitable requisites for fishing, whether as regards clothing or tackle, than it was forty years ago when Canon Kingsley wrote. Presumably in this instance the fisherman was wearing a tall hat. Fancy trying for Test or Itchen trout in these days, clad in such a headgear! If it were anything like a sunny day the fish would wonder, awestruck, for the fractional part of a second and then flee en masse.

Of course at the date when Canon Kingsley went a-fishing, trout were easy to catch compared with what they are now, at any rate in the best known English rivers; but it will be noted that even then

the fisherman was advised to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. How much more necessary is that precaution now, when trout, from being much fished over, in many cases from over weed-cutting, and from a frequent shortness of water consequent upon the present drainage system, are highly educated and more difficult to kill than ever they were before?

This being so, it behoves any one who is desirous of obtaining his fair share of piscatorial good fortune to take care that his fishing garb is sober of hue and not of a nature to attract the attention of the trout.

Very light-coloured clothes are strictly to be avoided, and this especially as regards the cap. All fishing garments should be warm and comfortable. Formerly waders and waterproofs were not thought as indispensable as they are now; but, as I know from painful experience, kneeling and crawling about in damp riverside grass produces rheumatic symptoms to a most disagreeable degree. Any good firm of waterproof manufacturers will supply a pair of fishing boots or fishing stockings which will come well up over the thigh, and enable the fisherman to kneel or crawl through wet grass, or wade-at any rate in most English trout streams-sufficiently deep to fish water which he could not conveniently cover from the bank, without fear of any evil results;