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ALL ABOUT

TROUT

FISHING.

Digitized by the Internet Arciiive in

2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft

Corporation

http://www.archive.org/details/allabouttroutfisOOriddrich

o i o ^

ALL ABOUT

TROUT FISHING BY J.

A. ("

"We

may

RIDDELL

BORDER rod").

say of angling, as Dr. Boteley said of

God could have made a better God never did and so, if I might judge, God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling." â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Iz\AK Walton. strawberries, berry,

Doubtless

;

but doubtless

Condon and fcUing-on Cync:

THE WALTER SCOTT PUBLISHING NEW YORK:

CO.,

3 EAST I4TH STREET.

1909.

LTD.

PREFACE. As an angler who has spent the most

five-and-twenty seasons by the riverside,

aim

convey to the reader,

simple language, the outcome of experience,

hope

the

that

more experienced

and

also

find

some information that

them

actual

beginners,

anglers,

may

will enlighten

to attain better results.

My aim lure,

and to

to touch give,

upon every legitimate

the smallest limits,

practical information with advice that will

enable

the

further

novice

instruction,

proceed

and

meet

without with

share of success in angling.

To mend

those

commencing,

can

recom-

angling as one of the most whole-

IV1842719

PREFACE.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one

some

those

who pursue

afford

them an abiding pleasure that

pastimes

that

will

keep

good health and will

be as fresh at sixty as sixteen. It

only remains to state that what has

been said

these pages as to northern

waters applies equally to

all

streams where

trout abound, whether in the south, east,

or west of our country.

Ryton-on-Tyne.

CONTENTS. CHAPTER A GENERAL INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER

...

CHAPTER .

II.

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING

DRY FLY-FISH L\G

PAGE

CHAPTER

in. .•

IV.

CREEPER AND STONE FLY-FISHING

CONTENTS.

viii

CHAPTER

V. I'AGE

WORM

FISHING

CHAPTER

VI.

MINNOW FISHING

CHAPTER

VII.

NIGHT FISHING

CHAPTER A FEW HINTS ON TACKLE

CHAPTER LOCH OR LAKE FISHING

VIII. .

-85

IX.

....

I02

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. UP-STREAM CLEAR-WATER WORMING

FrOtltispiece

PAGE

WET

FLY-FISHING UP STREAM

COLLECTING

CREEPER

THE

STREAM WITH LANDING-NET

.14

STRONG .

GATHERING CREEPER AT THE WATER EDGE

WHEN

THEY

ARE

ABOUT

JUST

EMERGE AND TURN INTO THE STONEFLY

GATHERING

48 STONE-FLY

UNDERNEATH THE

LARGE STONES ON THE LEEWARD SIDE OF GRAVEL-BED

-5째

SPINNING NATURAL MINNOW ACROSS STREAM

ALL ABOUT

TROUT FISHING. CHAPTER

AN INTRODUCTION TO ANGLING, One in

of the secrets of success in angling

keeping out of sight, and to do this

advisable to as possible.

dress

make

oneself as inconspicuous

Thus my drab

lies

favourite colour in

which

shade,

accords

with rocks, gravel beds, and grey backing of clouds.

The

invisible

has one disadvantage;

you a friend who he often has a

on a gravel bed.

brown, however,

you have with

higher up the stream,

difficulty in locating

you

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

A Safe Rule. It is

waters,

and

always advisable in low and clear

when

possible, to fish

up stream,

months, while

in the early

you need have very

fly-fishing,

being

fear

little

bothered with parr, those pests of down-

stream

fishers.

brother-angler fishing

think

a good

when

fact,

down stream thing

for

Copy Nature, and produce

see

always

the trout.

a shade

flies

smaller in preference to larger than the natural insect.

Do give

not be afraid to sink your preference

flies,

dressing,

spider

and also

look carefully to the fineness of the gut.

Bushy, heavily-dressed trout

able,

easily attracted

slim.

Keep

eyed of fishes

are,

flies

are objection-

human

beings,

by the elegant and

mind, trout are the keenest-

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;a

mere shadow, or an un-

natural ripple in wading, being sufficient

An introduction to AnCLinG. to scare

them away.

golden rule

keep out of sight.

Value of

pocket lens

a Pocket Lens.

very useful to examine

the contents of the stomach of the

Even though

you land.

fish

first

may

partly digested, with a powerful lens you

frequently can feeding on.

what the

detect

a good breeze, cast your

on the side the food It

advisable

the felt;

line,

When

detail.

flyflies

drifting towards.

keep your

as a gentle pull

you can then

are

copy

repeat, always try to

Nature to the minutest fishing

fish

finger

easily

strike instantaneously.

When

using a landing-net do not try to

take a

fish

in less

than a foot of water;

trout struggle dangerously in shallow water;

below a

fish

when stranded

also keep the net well

netting

him.

Patience,

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

with perseverance and keen observation, greatly help a beginner.

Caution Essential. In commencing to fish the shallow side of a stream in clear water,

fish will

and night ful

;

trout

once clear away.

fishing

then

deeper water

Good

water.

wade

very

wave goes before you, the

If a

carefully.

In evening

you cannot be too

care-

streams

and

leave

for

the

the side and thin,

flat

trout in rivers, sorely dis-

turbed through the day, seek shelter in the daytime, and usually

come out

of their

harbour towards dusk. In playing a good trout,

when you have

the luck to hook one, instantly raise the point of

your rod and keep

ever up;

only lower the top should the

fish

jump out

as he

of the water,

regains his

the rod top again.

own

up and

and as soon

element, up with

Never

let

out more

AN INTRODUCTION TO ANGLING. line

than you can possibly help, and to

end

this

your

stream, keeping

fish

below him.

slightly

you simply stand

still

you are almost sure to

up or down

and

him run

let

lose him.

Study the Habits of Trout.

good knowledge of the habits of trout

materially help the angler, and in small

when

waters,

fishing

practically

standstill,

an hour or so

watching

the

This can be done by creeping

fish.

well spent in

movements and habits of

cautiously, taking

the shelter of any

all

cover that the riverside affords. also

give

near

being

the

angler

may approach He can observed.

idea

fish

also

will

how

without

take note

of what

particular kind of water fish are

feeding

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;whether

be the

shallows,

the streams, the medium, or deeper water.

all about trout fishing.

Perfection Unattainable.

Much

from time to

has been uttered

time as to the patience required to make

How

a good angler. said,

often you

hear

with perhaps a tinge of contempt,

Oh,

have not the patience to become Well,

a fisherman!"

candidly admit

have not, and never had, the patience to

go on persistently flogging the water when fish

are off the feed.

and generally

fill

stones by the

simply give up,

in the spare

minnows

in collecting

time either

or turning

waterside

up the

and examining

the different larvae hatching out, or per-

haps have a smoke until the

on again.

But

fly-fishing

that,

my mind

rise

the

comes

charm of

though perfection

unattainable, yet progress, and with fair

amount

all.

of success,

within the reach

WET

FLY-FISHING. See page

15.)

CHAPTER

II.

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING.

Wet,

or sunk,

North; and

whenever

fly-fishing

indulged

universally

may

throughout

strongly urge this

practicable.

certain of hooking fish; line

up stream

the

method

You are more a much shorter

be used, and you are proceeding

in the direct

way

to keep out of sight.

Choice of a Rod.

rod of 9

ft.

in.

to ii feet

the handiest length, and, personally,

about I

not like them too supple; the lighter, with a moderate stiffness, the better.

Limber

rods for up-stream fishing are not good.

There to

what

much

difference of opinion as

the best material for rod-making

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

l6 that

refrain

mendation

from any definite recomfrom

apart

cautioning

readers against the purchase of cheap rods.

one point, however, there can be no

two opinions, that

is,

selecting a

rod

take extreme care to guard against getting

one

in the

sHghtest degree too heavy, as

this effectually prevents the skilful

lation of the rod that

heavily

and

balanced

and

slovenly

;

if is

manipu-

necessary in up-

Casting

stream casting.

from the wrist

the

done

chiefly

rod

bound

unsatisfactory

too lead

fishing.

Lightness with free action are desirable.

The Reel. It

reel

necessary to see that

also

corresponds in weight to balance the

rod properly. at

your

all

stiff,

The

ratchet should not be

otherwise you are certain of

being broken by the

Have

the

drum

first

run of a

fish.

well filled up with backing,

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. SO that the line will pay out

room

leave sufficient

faster,

but

in case of reeling

in the dark, otherwise the line

get

apt to

jammed.

The

Line.

Select a waterproofed line that in thick-

ness and weight compares favourably with

the build of the rod. this in casting.

Much depends upon

tapered line

Otherwise

advantage.

use

also

tippet

an or

casting-line of taper-twisted gut about five

or six feet long. line It

is is

For a beginner a casting-

a good help in learning to cast. difficult

give

instructions

writing for the novice to accomplish this

seemingly

simple

task.

However,

the

following hints will be found useful:

How Commence line

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one

TO Cast.

with a moderate length of not

more than

sixteen

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

seventeen feet; just prior to making the

backward cast

raise the rod top sufficiently

to gather the slack line; then considerable

force

used in the backward cast to get

the line fully extended behind the angler.

This

latter

motion must have an upward

swing, so as to prevent your tackle be-

coming

foul of

The forward the

diately

any objects behind you. cast should be

line

requires only a wrist, flies.

Of course,

extended;

fully

slight

and the rod

movement

itself will

line,

that

this

of the

carry out the

there are occasions

a certain amount of force

extend the

made imme-

when

required to

when you have

a wind against you, or in using a long line.

Use the Wrist. I

have noticed that generally beginners

more or selves,

less

want

do the work them-

working both body and arm;

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. fact,

one friend

read

this,

will

him out

of the

heave of the arm plish this

had

way

took days to

of that dreadful

eventually, to accom-

;

arm by the

to strap his

of his waist.

side

who

once know

inasmuch as

referring to,

get

particular, should

In this

enabled to overcome the

way he was Always

difficulty.

bear in mind that every cast should as

much

wrist, keeping the

and

by the at the

made

possible

arm down

from

to the

the

elbow

and thus save labour,

side,

same time giving a graceful

and accurate throw.

Flies must not Drag. up-stream

fishing

stantly

casting three

fisher's

once.

Let your

three yards, then

Do line

not

taut.

line

up and

drag your

fairly

flies,

The

you

times

are

con-

down

float

about

them

again.

for

but keep

natural

flies

your are

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

carried

down more

or less rapidly, accord-

ing to the velocity of the stream.

your

trail

not

as this gives rise to sus-

flies,

In casting do not bring your rod

picion.

top within two yards of the surface of the

This also

water.

bad form, and apt to

alarm the keen-sighted trout. Arrest from the wrist in

and the and

mid

descent,

then spin out straight

line will

fall flies first.

not be afraid to sink your

The

flies.

majority of

aquatic insects are hatched

under stones

in the

for I

bed of the

river

;

and

one that meets death on the surface,

bold to say scores are seized in the

middle

passage.

fly

on,

This

but

occasional trout.

you

Open

easily

are

the

proved.

getting

mouth

of the

trout,

squeeze the body, and you will be

much

astonished at the mass

food

disgorged.

already

insect

stated,

small pocket lens proves very useful to ascertain

what the

trout are feeding on.

artificial fly-fishing.

When

to Strike.

In striking in

up-stream fishing, " the

rise of a fish " is

not always seen, for the

your

simple reason that four

inches

five

fly

probably

below

the

surface.

Keep your eyes on the water, about where you think your the gleam

flies

of a

and

are,

trout

strike

you see

;

see your line stop, instantly tighten

cannot do this too soon. is

an art that

practice

you

Correct striking

much

acquired by dint of

and careful observation

;

but in

up-stream fishing as opposed to down, is

comparatively

seldom

that

you

are

broken, as you pull the fish towards you

with the current. fly

gently, sucking

Good it in,

trout

take the

and do not usually

cause the ripple that smaller ones do.

When Trout

rise Short.

In fly-fishing every rise or slight pull

should

responded

instantly

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

tightening the line.

remarkable on

some days what a small percentage

of fish

How-

you hook

comparison with

ever, this

unavoidable by even the most

experienced

may have something the

and

Light

angler.

particularly

rises.

do with

part

early

season.

Also, trout are not in

dition

and

;

and when light,

this,

the

good con-

the earlier months they

are generally

clouds

the deeper water,

rising to the

the deceptive

fly,

together with their backward con-

dition, they

come

rather short.

The Best Month for Trout fishing

England

rivers

March, but

Fishing.

most of the North of

opens at different dates in

little

good with

fly-fishing

be accomplished until April.

This

can

latter

month and May, given mild weather,

are

the two best months in the season for

fly-

fishing.

The

best

parts

of the

river

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. April

fish

the

are

running

gentle

streams, as trout, being out of condition, are unable to live in the stronger water.

Therefore, attention

water.

the to

must

angler

devote

his

the pools and slow-running

favourite

cast

under over-

any

other

the

river.

During the early part of the season

trout,

growing such

willows,

by the

shelter

general

trees,

rule,

side

take

better

the

sheltered stretches of the river, which also

meets with the approval of the In cold or boisterous weather

can be expected, and ditions

the

should

certainly

angler,

make

angler.

little

good

under these con-

bent for

fishing,

the sheltered

stretches.

The Spring March

During frequent,

winds,

and

Spates.

accompanied with

and

regret, they

generally,

spates

April

fairly

the

blow down stream.

are

strong angler's

However,

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

on these occasions the water

somewhat

coloured, so the fisher has the advantage of being able to cast partly with the wind,

and down stream without

casting across

much

fear of being observed

way

In this the

line

must

consequently

tight,

tightness of the line

to send the

angler

the

hook home

;

the

the fish's mouth,

addition to the weight of the

has the

angler

pulling

mouth,

When is

the

water

The hooks being

with.

pull

this

direct

almost

fish,

so small,

out

sure

as,

he also

contend

and the

the

fish's

occur.

striking a fish in up-stream fishing,

done by a motion of the

wrist,

must be instantaneous but gentle striking easily

almost certain to pull

out

fish.

sufficient

otherwise,

should strike he fly

fish.

from striking a rising

refrain

The mere

by the

the run of the water keeps

and

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;heavy

dangerous, and a habit that

acquired

violent striking.

;

therefore,

Much

try

avoid

presence of mind

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. is

needed to keep nerves under control

and so avoid the

startled jerk,

which so

frequently results in the loss of a decent trout.

When

once you have securely got the

hook home, the greater care you exercise

more certainty you

in playing the fish the

have

in ultimately creeling

it.

June Fly-Fishing. With the advent

June

fly-fishing

becomes uncertain on our principal

rivers.

In fact, as soon as the stone-fly appears on the water fly-fishing becomes at a discount.

Yet occasionally a decent basket of

may

be secured by using the finest of

ficial

but for

flies;

angler must

country

make

side

for

wend or

reliable

his

way

outlying

the smaller

fishing

the

arti-

the hilly

districts

tributaries,

fish

and

where

good baskets may frequently be made by using similar

flies

used in the main rivers a

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

month

or six weeks earlier.

good

baskets

refer

When

quantity

say

not

quaHty; but, nevertheless, the angler will

sometimes meet with odd half or threeVegetation

quarter pounders.

backward tricts,

in the

moorland and

likewise the insect

a good hatch of

generally

life.

hilly dis-

have seen

March browns appear on

the water at the end of April and beginning

May on

main

rivers

June

Rede-water, whereas on the it

had been

quite early

a month.

off fully

enough

commence

operations in the moorland tributaries, and

owing to the scarcity of naturally

backward

not

with freedom

rise

fly-life,

in condition.

regular supply of the

until

trout are

They do

there

natural fly on

the

water, and this seldom occurs until June is

fairly established.

The Charm of the Burns.

Two

flies

probably

are

one

ample

may

for

burn used

fishing,

and

greater

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. advantage.

All the angler has to

keep out of sight and get his

and he

water,

fly

almost certain of a

from every pool.

rise

much

will also

on the

surprised at the resistance offered by these little

fellows averaging five or six to the

pound.

Burn

fishing has its

and leads many anglers wildest

own charms, some

of our

and most beautiful scenery.

In burns rising and flowing through peat, a grey partridge-spider, with yellow body,

works

well.

using two

they should

flies,

not be more than two feet apart.

Some Reliable The killers,

following

and

list

Flies. flies

are

good

have found them to work

well throughout the season.

no means complete;

They

are by

but, from experience,

think there are few days during the season that one or other of trout.

making

them

will fail to lure

up a cast

vary the

ALL About trout Wishing.

shades, selecting a dark

red

and a

fly,

a brown

light coloured fly,

and you

will thus ascertain the right colour.

Flies are the

most important lures

In our rivers

the angler's equipment.

the winged

have two types of

flies,

spider or hackle.

The former

fly

and

decidedly

the closer imitation of the natural insect,

but the latter

out and out the most

deadly.

The

following varieties are amongst the

first flies

make

appearance at the

their

opening of the trouting season, of course providing the weather

hatching of insect

life.

favourable to the

The

little

Winter

Brown, dressed from the dark feathers of woodcock,

brown

with

bodies,

dark

brown and

light

and the Light Woodcock

with orange body, are amongst the

first

arrivals.

Waterhen, with yellow body and speck of gold tinsel on

tail

least

of body; male

and female March Browns; Greenwell's

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. Glory,

from the hen blackbird;

dressed

dark snipe and purple body, light snipe

and yellow body, and grey partridge breast

and yellow body generally answer well

for

the opening stages of the season. I

recommend

strongly

their

when

flies

dressed

and worked with small

in spider fashion

patterns

these

the waters are clear and at

normal volume

;

but after a flood, or

with plenty of fresh water running, a larger sized fly

preferable.

size of fly

cases the

all

should be regulated according

to the size floods,

and

state of the river.

After

when the water has assumed a black

colour, trout usually rise freely to the

and

under

these

conditions

are

fly,

easily

approached.

Other

flies

that appear later are Starling

with yellow body; and Grouse with brown,

dark red, or orange body sometimes well in spring iron blue

and autumn.

dun work well

and are great

kills

Blue dun and

in April

and May,

favourites in cold weather.

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

Red Palmer

a good fly throughout the

season. (a)

Woodcock

wing, with hare lug and

least speck of jungle cork

wing;

(6)

on each side of

yellow or deep orange and red

hackle;

(c)

hackle;

(d)

body and red or black

quill

black body and black hackle.

In one of these forms

Woodcock winged

well in the latter

part of April

fly kills

the

dressing

and into the middle

May

on warm days. Murton's Favourite.

famous

killing fly,

Coquet,

North

Cumberland

This pattern

and works well on the

Tyne,

rivers

Redewater,

from

middle

the

and of

April until the end of

May.

taken trout with this

during the autumn

fly

have also

fishing.

Bracken clock

a deadly lure from the

middle of April in "running off" waters,

and a great favourite with many of our best fly-fishers.

Red spinner

an excellent

fly

during

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING.

May,

when

the natural

weather with a gentle

dull

flies

water, and on such

North

Irthing,

are driven on

Tyne,

Till,

the

Eden,

rivers as the

Good

Whit Adder.

rain,

and

Black

results are

made with

this imitation.

The Yellow Yellow Sally

Sally.

a capital fly at the end

May and through the angler who has a

June, and happy

this specie, for trout

rise

it,

and

on.

dyed

will look at

This

fly

feathers,

after a

feather

are

with

imitated

often

worthless,

off

the

killer

useless.

an out-and-out

and no angler should be without

works well during

summer, and flat

with avidity to

nothing else while

which

and renders

all rivers,

correct imitation of

few casts the dye washes

Black spider

it.

fishes

late spring

splendidly

water with a ruffled surface.

taken a score of

fish

on I

and thin,

have

on a good swim

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

with this

hours

specimen.

a couple

Cummins,

of Bishop Auckland, stocks

standard North-country,

etc.,

all

patterns.

Dotterel hackle, with yellow or orange

body,

a general favourite on

country streams;

it is

all

North-

a splendid imitation

of the pale yellow dun, and has accounted for

some good baskets

The Golden

of fish.

Plover Spider, with quill or

yellow body, appears on the water towards the end of May, and

kills

well in clear water.

Turkey brown comes on the water early in

May;

has a good character, and

used generally by

The

Olive

fly-fishers.

Dun

appears in

fly

various shades, and

May

as well to have

the different dressings, being a most

reli-

able fly that kills well in May.

The Autumn Black

fly

usually comes on

about the end of August, and until the

end of the season.

kills

well

Teal and

silver

body dressed on a No. o hook works well in the latter part of

August and September.

artificial fly-fishing.

Some Made-up Casts. The

made-up

following

—

good

month's fishing:

for the first

No.

casts are

Winter brown, point

water-

fly;

hen, 1st dropper; dark snipe and yellow,

2nd dropper. No.

— March

well's glory,

No.

brown

Green-

spider.

Light Woodcock.

— Red

palmer or spring black.

Blue dun. Dark Snipe and Purple. No.

yellow,

— Waterhen,

Grey Partridge and

Dark Woodcock.

These casts can always be varied by substituting another of the early

the

which

point,

changed.

The dropper

the

far flies

flies

easiest

should

placed about two and a half feet

apart,

and the length of gut should not exceed

two inches from the main if

cast, otherwise,

longer, the- gut gets twisted round the

main

cast.

the dropper

The flies

best is

method

make

attach

a small loop

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING.

not larger than a quarter of an inch about

two inches from the

double the main

fly,

above a knot where

cast

you

desire

attach the dropper and insert through the

small loop, then put the

main

fly

through the

cast and draw the dropper

tight, at

same time again straightening the

the

main

cast

and working the dropper down In this

to the knot.

way

the dropper

attached with double gut, and thus stands out at right angles from the main

In another chapter

Tackle")

will

cast.

("A Few Hints on

found

illustration

(page 88).

How I

TO Fish a Large River.

no advocate of down-stream

fishing, unless in

be fully

a large river which cannot

commanded by wading.

case there to conceal

In this

a sufficient volume of water

the angler;

circumstances

fly-

and under these

advisable to fish

down

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING.

and across stream, using a

fairly

long

lin

and working slowly down a good swim^ If trout are

spot,

it is

rise lasts.

found rising at a particula"

as well to remain as long as th:

In wading

much

care should be

exercised to prevent ripples, as they travel

muc^^llkr down the water than up s< refi^^^^^k moving as much as possible ;

-A^g

so travel very slowly.

all about trout fishing.

Seasons of the Year. In April fly-fishing

rather uncertain in

the early part of this month, and the rise

usually of short duration; from eleven to

one o'clock

the best time of the day, and

trout are to be found in the deeper

and

quieter running water in the early part of

Towards the end

the month.

another

The

rise

best

comes on during the afternoon.

flies

well's Glory,

Snipe,

of April

March Brown, Green-

are

Woodcock, Waterhen, Light

Dark Snipe and Purple.

May.

The when

best

trout

month

for fly-fishing is

become

prime

May,

condition

and spread themselves over the stronger streams and shallower running currents.

Fly

generally in abundance, and alto-

gether sport the day.

During

this

reliable

month

throughout

the rivers are

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. gradually drawing towards

and up-stream

The

best

Dun,

Blue

fishing

flies

Wing

summer

most

Partridge

Dun, Iron

Spider,

Waterhen

Light Snipe and

Wood-

are useful for the early part of

the month,

with

lighter

Red

duns

coloured

towards the end of the month. Favourite,

level,

essential.

are the Blue

and yellow body. cock

Murton's

Spinner, Alder Fly, Bracken

Clock, and Black Midge are also in favour.

June.

With

the advancement of this

fly-fishing gradually goes off

rivers; but

basket of fish

may

May Dun.

month the

all

main

sometimes happens that a

as Yellow Sally,

yellow

month

be taken with such

flies

Black Spider, or small Usually during

this

fisherman's curse, a small black

midge, appears on the water; and in the

streams trout little

may be

observed jumping a

above the surface trying to drown this

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

fisherman's curse, which

hover near the

From

surface in myriads.

the middle of

month onwards, should the angler

the

desire to use the profitable

small

Dun

fly, it

be found more

will

use the

selection

finest

Spiders.

July. In

daytime trout

the

mostly feed on

worms and minnows, but towards and during the the

fly.

night,

night, they rise freely to

Small sets of

flies

should be used

during the early part of the night, but

when the

light

should be used.

diminishes

larger

set

See another chapter on

Night Fishing (page

78).

August. Fly-fishing

during

this

month

also

uncertain except at night-time.

September.

Good fly

sport

frequently had with the

during this month, especially in a black

ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING.

or running off water after a flood. fish are still to

be found in the streams,

month they

but towards the end of the

back to the pools and slower running

fall

The

water. of

The

the

flies

season

used in the early part

work

found a small Teal successful, together

well.

much

activity in fly

feeding fairly well, but

use the finest trout

have also

Wing and silver body with an Autumn Dun.

In the latter part of the

seen

tackle

month

life is

and the

have fish

advisable to

clear

water, as

have had cause to become aware

that they have

many

enemies.

CHAPTER

III.

DRY FLY-FISHING. Dry

fly-fishing

practised

little

but

rapidly

perhaps so

many

has

north-country

owing

the

presence of

south-country anglers patroniz-

The

the novice to adopt

expert,

rivers,

more general;

becoming

ing our northern rivers. for

been very

hitherto

best course

watch an

few days.

for

rod

should be

possible,

dry fly-fishing the

about

eleven feet long and possessed of plenty of driving power, with a tapered reel-line

and the gut cast tapered

also.

The

should be dressed on eyed hooks for reasons,

flies

many

and to see the collection of a

dry fly-fisher proper

interesting in the

extreme, not only for the

specimens but

for

many

different

the correct imitations

DRY FLY-FISHING. the

natural

themselves

flies

the

minutest details.

Entomological Knowledge Desirable.

The

use of these

demands that the

some

have

should

angler

flies

considerable

knowledge of entomology, and at a glance be able to recognize the actual a rising fish

means

This

feeding on.

easily ascertained

that

fly

by no

by the unskilled,

and generally ends with the angler having to secure the natural

much time

and even then

fly,

taken up in comparing the

natural with the

artificial

select

the

correct pattern.

When

you have done

on the end of the head

cast,

in a small bottle of

this

the fly

tie

then dip

over-

prepared paraflin

(Cummins, of Bishop Auckland,

sells

a good

brass bottle, unbreakable, and a great im-

provement upon the

old glass pattern),

then cast on to the water to wash the oil

off

again,

then

whisk the

fly

back-

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

wards and forwards times to dry rising fish

in the air half-a-dozen

Approach a

thoroughly.

from below to within nice

cast-

ing distance, aim at an imaginary point

the air about

the fish length

four

line

above the

fish,

fly

allowing the if

there

lifting off

as not to disturb him;

him

to float

no response, of yards

the water, so

then dry the

fly

in the air before casting over

Much

again.

method

slightly

fly

to float a couple

below him before

by whisking

Cast

required.

naturally over him;

allow the

ascertain the

so as to

rising,

above where

feet

skill is

casting,

required in this

and great care must

be taken so that the line does not drag the

fly

when

cast over the fish.

Hov^ THE Fly must Alight. It

obvious that the

fly

its

but should

sideways,

fall

alight

wings cocked up;

on the water with it

must

let

well below the fish before lifting

it it

drift

to dry

DRY FLY-FISHING. These

again.

floating

which

are

double

the

water

alight

greatest difliculty

dragging the

one

winged, generally as

in preventing the line

does

so,

fly

you proceed up another rising

Dry pools

the result

only.

the

fish,

fly

strongly advocate the

When

either secured the fish or put

this process

The

desired.

Sometimes a dropper

also used, but

use

the majority

flies,

fly, as, if it

disastrous.

river

you have

him down,

when a

look

repetition

for

gone through again.

fly-fishing

works to advantage

and slow-running water, with

without a ripple; but in the former case the angler must be extremely cautious in

approaching the

fish,

and always

fish

stream.

The deer

reel line

fat,

and

should be well rubbed with will thus float better

on the

surface of the water.

In casting over a the reel line rather

fish, it is

slack

well to have

when

the

fly

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

Hne dragging

alights, thus preventing the

Should the

the

fly.

fly,

strike immediately.

fish rise

and take the

Familiar Floating Flies.

The number

great for

floating

are too

flies

mention here, but

name

a few favourites, dressed with two pair of

wings:

Brown

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ;

Greenwell's Glory;

Iron Blue, light and dark

Woodcock, hare lug and Blue

March

Dun

;

7. 8.

Alder;

quill or

body;

4 5

dark brown body

Dark Sedge;

II.

Red

13.

Needle

15.

Black Gnat;

17. Artful

;

Olive Dun, male and female

Black Spider, g.

quill

Quill

Gnat;

Brown; Dodger;

12. 14.

16. 18.

10.

Dotterell

Red Spinner

Little

Marryat

Apple Green Dun

Autumn Dun.

CHAPTER

IV.

CREEPER FISHING.

The

Creeper

the larvae of the Stone

Fly, usually termed the "

May

Fly

" in the

makes

its

appearance towards the end of May.

north,

because

the larvae stage

it is

one of the most deadly

Creeper-fishing works well as soon

lures.

generally

commence

trout

dition,

improve in con-

and are capable of feeding

streams.

may

beginning of April.

commenced about

Many

anglers

the mistake of fishing creeper best

of the season

over,

it is

w^hile

the

make

when

the

inasmuch as

they are hatched in the bed of the

and

in the

river,

they are leaving the deeper

water in the streams for the sides to hatch out in the

fly

that the trout

come

naturally

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

on the feed of them, as get

washed away

doing this they

in the strong

are eagerly sought for by the

How To

water and

fish.

TO OBTAIN THE C KEEPER.

obtain a supply of creepers, the best

method

your landing-net (which

to hold

should have a good-sized mouth with a small mesh) position

gravel

that

over

front

you

your

with

One

net.

brogues

handy

the

them

into

of Murton's japanned-tin

creeper-boxes, with inside,

such a

turning the stones and

stream, the current will wash

your

for

little

damp moss

carrying them, and

kept moist by dipping over-head in the

water

frequently through the day while

fishing

and kept

in a cool place at night,

they can thus be kept for three or four days.

Creepers

may

also be gathered

on the

leeward side of the stream by turning the

COLLECTING CREEPERS WITH LANDING-NET. (See page 46.)

CREEPER FISHING.

stones over in the shallow water with your

hand; but this

them

way

a slow

comparison with a

to collect

The

net.

and

baits to use are the largest

best

clearest

coloured and those with a mottled olive

body above and yellow below, being an inch

fully

in length.

To Bait the Creeper Hook. There are Personally,

and one)

about

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; two

(sizes

five-eighths

the

point

two an

and one

bait

left

hand between the thumb and

your

them, hold the creeper

and with your right

forefinger,

larger point of the close

ways of baiting them. two hooks

prefer

tied

inch apart above.

different I

the

upwards.

tail,

insert the

hook through the body, the

protruding

point

Impale the smaller one through

the neck or head and you can then cast

without fear of flicking them

The

off.

creeper must be fished up stream

practically

clear- water

''worming,"

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

exercising care in

ripples

wading not water

the

any

to send

your

herald

approach. It

about

advisable to have a small

six inches

strong

better

up the gut when

water,

down

in the strong streams.

fished, especially the all

uncommon

four trout in as

most carefully

edges of gravel-beds It

of no

dead or deep water.

pull your fish

to be

broken water.

fishing in

fishing

thus keeping the bait

Every stream ought

and

shot

occurrence to

many

kill

It is

use

not

three or

yards providing you

down stream immediately

hooked, so preventing him giving

warning to the

fish

above.

The Rod for Creeper The rod should

Fishing.

not be less than eleven

feet for creeper-fishing,

and a rod of even

longer dimensions would

all

of the angler provided

be not too heavy

and

easily

worked with a

be in favour

single hand.

CREEPER FISHING. is

required to be fairly

cases one has to

lift

49 as

stiff,

many

the fish in the strong

water out of the way of snags, weirings, etc.,

which the large

When In

the

fish

always make

for.

to Use the Creeper. part of

early

the

season

the

creeper fishes best in the early morning.

fact, trout will

there is I

take creeper as soon as

sufficient daylight, providing there

The same

no mist about. have mentioned

the stone-fly.

For

on Tackle (page

tackle

also suitable to fish

illustration, see

Chapter

gi).

The Stone-Fly. The most stone-fly

With

favourable waters to fish the

exactly opposite to the creeper.

the former a porter-coloured water

or a rise or

fall

after a spate, is the

propitious time for dull,

its

use, together

calm weather, or only a

most with

slight breeze.

Should the angler have these conditions

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

at the

end of

May

night in June, sport

The is

best

way

or during the is

first fort-

almost assured.

to preserve the stone-fly

to cut a piece of bark

from the mountain

ash tree, or

willow

tree,

about twelve inches long and

three inches Male Stone-Fly.

broad, double in the

middle,

and bind round

with string,

Female Stone-Fly.

making a

bottle,

the

into

with

mouth

about one inch in diameter. Creeper Larva, of Stone-Fly.

p^^ ^ stoppcr

use a piece of mountain ash branch.

The

sap in the bark keeps the inside of the bottle moist,

The

and thus the

fly

stone-flies are collected

keeps better.

on the under

h-1

w z o u, ^

'^ in

s?:

CA! ffi

H <

CREEPER FISHING. side of large stones,

where there

most

moisture on the gravel beds, and the male fly is fly is

The female

the most deadly bait.

about twice the

the former

with the

easily

the male, and

size of

caught

The male

latter.

difficult to catch,

being

comparison

fly

much

indeed

sharper than

the female.

The method

in fishing the stone-fly is

similar to that used in fishing the creeper,

but greater care must be taken in casting, as the fly

very tender.

Shade-Fishing.

The

stone-fly

also

used for

shade-

For example,

fishing during hot weather.

the angler approaches the haunts of feeding fish in

the pools under willows or bushes

overhanging the

river.

The

round the rod top with the

line is

wound

fly baited,

and

pushed underneath the bushes, then uncoiled, allowing the fly to

the surface of the water.

move about on

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

This system requires

much

patience, but

frequently large trout are captured in this

way, especially during the daytime, with a bright sunshine from a cloudless sky, in

low and clear waters, when other modes

Under these

of angling are at a discount.

conditions

who

angler

move

trout

has

about,

and

the

such pro-

patience for

ceedings often meets with his reward.

Caddis Bait.

The

caddis bait, which

may

the bed of the river, fished

exactly the

creeper.

also found in

be baited and

same way

the

This lure also works well by the

side of pools, casting a fairly long line up-

stream.

combination

the

caddis

used in the slower running water and the creeper

works sive

well.

the

stronger streams usually

These

look

fastidious anglers

baits are rather repul-

and

who

handle,

those

object to bait-fishing

generally had better skip these few pages.

CHAPTER

WORM

FISHING.

Up-stream worm proves

waters

fishing

very

summer months,

deadly

low,

clear

during

the

especially in hot weather,

and, providing there

water, trout will take the

no mist on the

worm

freely

from

daybreak at early morning until evening

Towards the middle

during intervals.

June

trout will be found in the strong

and

shallow streams at different periods through the day. insects

As the days of June creep on

abound on the

trout seemingly lose

river in myriads,

and

them, as

all taste for

they hover round the surface of the water little is

presented

mode

worm

immediately seized.

This

heeded by the it is

of fishing

fish,

whereas

becoming more

popular, 5

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

and when used

a certain

scientifically, is

means of success.

The Rod for Worm The rod should feet,

all

Fishing.

not be less than fourteen

and one of even longer dimensions

in favour of the angler.

light yet

middle, well,

stiff.

must be

hollow cane butt and

with a lance-wood top, answers

and besides being easy

to cast with, a

rod of this type commands, with a length of line, almost

every

frequently happens that one has

water.

heavy

fish to

hold in the strong water from

snags, weirings, etc., so a fairly

required;

medium

variety

stiff

rod

also the rod must not be too

highly polished, otherwise the glitter in bright sunshine will seriously interfere with sport.

preparation that dulls the rod

completely, and

when

applied dries in a

few minutes, can be purchased from tackle dealers.

obvious

that

too highly

stained rods must be guarded against, as at

WORM

FISHING.

midsummer, when the and trout then

lie in

rivers are

(Bishop Auckland)

The

ing Rod.

dead low

the shallow water, the

shadow proves

merest

Cummins

fatal.

a special

sells

Worm-

length weighs only

ft.

16 J ozs.

Tackle. There are

modes of

different

baiting

the Stewart tackle with three hooks, the

Pennell with two and a single hook.

much

prefer the latter, using a fine wire

In June

hook. obtain,

one

are

difficult

and with a single hook sometimes

fact,

almost every

fish

and renders

large supply of I

worms

worm may do

trout.

service for a couple of

with the former tackles

touched breaks the

useless.

worms

worm

Thus you need a

for a day's fishing.

strongly advocate the

use of small

worms.

Worms

fortnight

and well scoured, and the bright

pink

worms

should be kept fully a

are the most deadly.

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

hook take the

bait with the single

worm, dipped

in sand, in

your

left

hand,

impale the hook in the mouth running the

hook up the worm, leaving about half an inch to wriggle.

Single hook, see Chapter

on Tackle (page

gi).

Casting. In casting, the line

thrown back with

an easy swing and brought forward with as

little

force as circumstances will allow,

the rod top making

in fly-fishing. is

of a circle than

course,

a long line

being used, or the wind blowing against

you,

almost

necessary to bring the rod top

the

surface

the

water,

thus to extend the line fully and allow the

worm

If casting

fall

lightly

on the water.

over a strong current to the

thin water beyond, should the line be at all

immersed

away, whereas intervening

will pull the if

worm

quickly

only the gut alights the

strong water

has no

power

WORM over

Thus

it.

FISHING. cast

this

57 best

accom-

movement

plished by checking the forward

and keeping the top well up.

of the rod

Wading Up-stream. One cannot

perly without wading, and at there

when

midsummer

alarming the trout,

during

importance to

such vital

and

June

in-

the

July

have shrunk to their lowest

rivers

pro-

no period of the angling season

proceed without

asmuch

worm

clear-water

fish

level,

and the trout are to be found lying the shallowest water. I

have taken

that

fish

portion

exposed

the

his

air

and

the

ceived,

and should

fact,

back

cising

has

been

sun, causing

skin.

angler

Under easily

these per-

at all times take every

precaution in approaching the

You must

frequently

such shallow water

circumstances

whiteness

fish.

therefore fish up-stream, exer-

care in

wading not

send any

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

ripples in front of you,

warning the

fish

The

thin streams

and

of your approach.

shallow running water are the best parts

Cast up-stream, straight in front

to fish.

of you, with as

much

line out as

you can

comfortably command, slowly raising your

Otherwise don't interfere with

rod top.

and allow the water

it,

down

in a natural

When The when

to bring the

worm

way.

to Strike.

stopping of the line will soon show

worm

the

down-stream

seized

fairly quickly

then

;

and

strike

firmly, not

allowing him time to gorge, and you will often

worm

find

little

up the At

up If

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;using

gut.

all

times

you

should

in front of you, not

come down

water.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;your

the worse, three or four inches

you cast the

not

hook

single

latter

fish

straight

casting sideways.

way

the

worm

does

naturally, even in shallow

have tried

various forms,

WORM and

find

fish

straight

may

FISHING.

way

the sure

"the

off

straight,"

but

You

you.

an occasional

certainly get

casting

success

firont

fish I

have

always found that in fishing to the side of

the trout

stream take is

follow the

ever so far

being suspicious that something

it,

attached to the bait.

of the gut, even in a foot cast

worm down-

without attempting to

two or three yards

causes the

worm

The buoyancy of water, when

off "

the straight,"

come down sideways,

and the trout quickly detect that not

When

natural.

lowest

summer

rivers

level

attain

everything

their is

favour of the trout, and unless you fish

be practically

correctly, creels will

of emptiness." fish straight

here repeat again,

in front of you.

The The

*'full

Cast.

gut cast should be seven or eight

feet long

with a few strands of

fine

drawn

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

gut on the lower portion next to the hook,

and tapering with undrawn towards the reel

line.

the nature of the

course,

weather will cause the

fisher to vary the

length of cast.

breeze

down stream and such

If a

blowing

the cast must be shortened,

gut

fine

not necessary, as on

calm days when the water has a surface like glass.

The length

of line required should not be

and

less

than

line

should be brought back with an easy

fifteen feet,

casting, the

swing, bringing the rod top round more in

a circle than in fly-fishing. bring

cast

the

line

In the forward

straight

over

the

shoulder, allowing the rod to do the work. It

advisable

possible this

proceed as

near as

up the centre of the stream, as

way one comes

to closer quarters with

the fish without being perceived.

you

are fortunate to have the surface of the

water ruffled a used.

much

shorter line

may

WORM

FISHING.

In June and July trout will be found to

be in the pink of condition, consequently they are capable of feeding in strong water. Therefore, the angler must bear this in

mind, and cast over every yard of likely water.

Trout

will also take the

worm

latter part of April and May,

are feeding on the creeper, so

the

when they it

as well

to have a supply of both.

Best Time for "Worming." The most when

suitable time for

worming

the rivers are at their lowest level

They take

with settled weather.

well on

hot days with a bright sunshine from a cloudless sky,

the water so

and

much

mits the angler to

a gentle breeze

the better, as this perfish

the thin water on

the gravel-bed side of pools, also the thin flat

water just immediately above the head

of streams. cast

over,

These are excellent places and they seldom

prove

dis-

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

Of course they can only be

appointing.

when

fished

there

sufficient

wind

cause a nice curl. I

have also had splendid sport on dull

sultry days with a gentle rain falling

and

the sky quite overcast with heavy clouds.

Trout also take with avidity hours

immediately

fishing

before

broken water

for

a few In

flood.

quite

an easy

matter for an angler to take a trout from a

good run, but

work

tific

and

requires careful

scien-

to creel half-a-dozen in a short

stream of say

five or six yards.

To do

this

the angler must approach the stream carefully,

and on hooking the

each subsequent

first

fish

bring them

one,

and

down

stream immediately they are hooked, playing If

them

in the

water already disturbed.

a trout darts up-stream

to the others in the vicinity,

suspicion

On able,

sufficient to

gives warning

and the merest

alarm those above.

a calm day only the streams are

and

the

angler

should

approach

fish-

the

WORM

FISHING.

water side fully twenty yards the ripple is first apparent.

pay particular attention

where

below

you do not

to this,

and walk

along the river side close to the stream you are almost certain to disturb one or two trout,

who

up stream giving

will dart

fatal

alarm to those above. In striking

stream thus, the fisher

should pay attention to the thin water on the gravel-bed side of the stream, then

with consecutive casts

worm

casting the

up with each

about

cast.

carefully up,

fish

yard higher

If there are

any large

stones or other shelter in the streams, or

where

the

water,

great

channel

merges

attention

these, as they are ideal haunts

deeper

into

must be

paid

and seldom

prove unproductive. Little

time

should

fishing small rivers;

the

wasted

when

but with rivers like

Eden, Coquet, or

different.

the

Tyne,

In any of these rivers, or others

of a similar volume, a good stretch of water

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

up much time

takes

and should

to exhaust,

be fished twice over, by the angler wading farther

into

attempt. low,

water

the

All water,

there

second

the

no matter how

shal-

sufficient current to cause

the slightest ripple, should not be missed at this period; trout

move

about, and this

type of water frequently hold fishing

this

description

but in

fish,

water

line,

and

keep

out

Once the water has been disturbed labour in vain to

fish

much

necessary for the angler to use a longer

sight. it

again before a

couple of hours or so have elapsed.

Flooded Waters. So

far

these remarks

clear water fishing,

have I

little

sport,

and

apply solely to

clear water fishers

patience to fish in spated waters.

not in favour of this phase of the

and consequently

refrain

anything on bait-fishing in

from saying

muddy

waters.

However, floods are very useful to cleanse

WORM the bed

of the

become very dry

especially during

mid -summer.

stirs

which frequently

rivers,

foul,

weather

sometimes

FISHING.

up good

hot,

also

fish to feed

greedily.

For a day's a gross of

clear water

worms

fishing about

are required.

Murton's

supply a useful japanned tin-box to strap

round the waist, with a partition to carry creepers as well.

The Time Worm-fishing but

season,

July that

and

practicable the whole

only during June and

advocate

months

these

of Year.

its

strongly urge

is fairly

as during

forms the principal food, its

practice immedi-

ately the stone-fly fishing

June

use,

over.

When

established, such quarters as

Longtown on the Border Esk, the lower reaches of the Eden, or the lower reaches of almost

any north-country

through

rich

soil,

are

river,

flowing

recommended.

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

Usually

and

in these places the fishing is early,

lasts for

a very

much

than in smaller streams.

Redewater,

like the

shorter time

In small streams

Tees, or North Tyne, the take

much

Upper

Irthing,

Till,

continues

longer and more certain, and are

splendidly adapted for clear-water worming.

Throughout June and July size

trout

feed

almost

towards evening they of pools;

in rivers of this

the day,

and

to the tail

end

all

fall

but in the early morning, say

from 2.30 A.M. to 8

they are more

A.M.,

or less in the streams.

course the methods advised here will

be equally successful wherever trout fishing is

obtainable, whether in the

Midlands, or elsewhere. rivers are the

Teme

South, the

Especially good

(Ludlow),

the

and Derwent (Derbyshire), and the (North

Devon).

The Yorkshire

Wye Taw

rivers,

Yore, Swale, and Wharfe, should also be

mentioned.

Most

North or West

anglers, however, travel

for trouting.

CHAPTER MINNOW Minnow

fishing

permissible

exciting of all

FISHING,

practicable the whole

and

of the season,

VI.

in rivers

modes

this lure

found the most

will be

where

of fishing.

appeals

to the appetites of the largest trout

while these fish are pursuing a

and

;

minnow

they do so with remarkable dash, chasing it

until they think

frequently seizing water-side.

it is it

likely to escape,

on the verge of the

Generally

speaking,

close of a successful day's will find

To less

One is

the

minnowing, you

you have a basket of even-sized

The Rod for

and

fish.

Minnowing."

begin with, your rod should not be

than twelve

feet

and

fairly stiffly built.

of the best times to fish the

just after a flood,

and

the rod

minnow is

at all

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

supple you have

bait in the strong

your rod

command water. The

little

of your

point of

spinning should always be kept

below the elbow, and a good wrinkle

keep your rod top below the surface when fishing in a strong water.

The

natural minnow, which

tionably the best lure, has

many

kinds of tackle to fish same.

recommend, however, a tackle

but

different

strongly after

the

Archer spinner, which spins

style of the

well;

unques-

have

personally

altered the hooks to increase

somewhat

its

hooking

powers, as the two main objects in spinning are to get the bait to spin well,

same time have the hooks

and

at the

so arranged that

a fish can scarcely seize the bait without

being hooked.

To make

certain of a

good

spin on the bait have two swivels on your trace.

These remarks apply

heavy waters.

to fishing in

Cummins (Bishop Auck-

land) sells a good quill

well in clear water.

minnow, which

kills

SPINNING NATURAL MINNOW. (See page 6y).

MINNOW

FISHING.

In Heavy Waters.

Choose a nice stream with the water flowing about five miles an hour; throw the

minnow

across stream, drawing

and across

down

in short jerks; turn the rod top

minnow up stream

and bring the similar way.

You

trout takes

at the turn, so

in a

will often find that the

do not

strike

too quickly or too severely, as fish are often

way.

lost in this

See to spin over every

yard of water in a good stream, as trout

may

be lurking in any portion of

it.

lead will be required in heavy waters.

Clear Water.

Another way

in clear

water

to fish the

rough streams where nothing but conditioned fish will be found. line as the length of

your

left

Use

much

your rod, take the bait

hand, bend your rod top to-

wards you and cast with your right hand

up and across stream, drawing

down and

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

Trout

across stream in sharp jerks.

be found behind big stones.

down

Also

will

fish

a long rough stream, letting your line

out yard by yard until you get a long length of line out.

You

often have

when

water,

clear

fishing are

good sport

in this

manner

other kinds of

all

off.

The Drop Minnow. Drop minnow angling which practised in

fishing

awkward is

corners,

over.

There are

mode

deep

overhung with

would be an impossibility

which

in this

very deadly and can be

water or where

another form of

different

trees

to spin

ways of baiting

of procedure.

Personally

use a single hook leaded round the shank,

and

tied to a length of gut

which

looped.

minnow

The way

to bait

the

hand between thumb and

left

finger,

take

the

to hold the

baiting

through the loop of gut

needle

fore-

passed

in the right

hand

MINNOW

FISHING.

and push through the minnow's mouth,

coming out

draw the tackle

at the tail,

through the hook which

mouth and attach your

left

out at the

trace by a hook-

swivel.

Use a short

line

commence

with,

not more than a couple of yards, slipping the

minnow

gently into the water

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;taking

care to keep out of sightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; and work

and down, gradually getting down into the deeper water, and should a trout be

about he

him

feel

minnow strike

certain to seize.

him

give in

his

time

When

you

turn

the

mouth and gorge

pretty firmly, and you

sure to secure a good

on Tackle (page

fish.

it,

then

are almost

See Chapter

97).

The Small, Bright Minnow. Small,

bright

minnows may

also

used in clear water and fished the same

way

as clear-water

worm

cast

up stream,

using a long length of line and fishing

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

the thin, sluggish water

This

pools.

by the side of

somewhat

requires

skilful

manipulation in casting, and when once the

minnow

alights in the water

not be further

must

only

with.

method during the height

advise this

summer

interfered

in the clearest waters.

Spinning with a Patent Casting-

Reel. Spinning with a patent casting-reel has

many

advantages, and

vogue.

offers

with an hour's

any other is

reel,

largely in

facilities

feet

longer

can

also

with

than

line

the

to cast

using the lightest of baits.

fear

any obstacles six

practice.

much

out a

There

good

now

inasmuch as he can learn

novice,

get

line

of becoming

foul with

casting, as only five or

are

necessary from the

rod top to make the cast, and the

cannot over-run.

course,

reel

neces-

sary to use a fine silk spinning line, No.

MINNOW or No.

able

rod

with

line

kinking.

requisite

advis-

the

prevent

fat so as to

special

hot weather

occasionally rub

mutton

and

FISHING.

casting

for

with a patent spinning-reel, and a useful length heart

about ten

and with

which have

feet,

of green-

porcelain

special

on the

less friction

This style of spinning

made

rings,

fine lines.

practised both

up and down stream, the great advantage to the angler being the long length of line

easily cast out

and

when

fishing

" fine

far off."

When Trout

take

early morning,

to Fish Minnow. the

minnow

best

the

and again towards evening.

Small or medium minnows are preferable in

clear waters,

waters.

answers

heavy

In waters clearing from a flood

artificial

use of

and the larger

silver

fairly well. artificial

or golden devon often

In fact,

baits

advise the

heavy coloured

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

74 waters

only,

have

trout

under be in

these

conditions

quarters

observe them.

To Obtain Minnows. To side,

flooded waters,

mesh landing-net

close to the

searching the easy or gentle-running

Then

water. solution

in the

them

preserve

a mild

way

Another

formalin.

minnows

obtaining

wade

minnows

collect

use a small

clear water

of to

water by the side of weirings

or willows growing in the water, or any

Place your landing-net by

such refuge. the side

such a position

you stamp your ness they will

foot

that

dart into the net, which

should be raised almost instantly. is

a very good a

low

when

amongst the rough-

way

water,

able and enjoyable

of getting

This

minnows

and

way

of spending an

very

profit-

hour or two at the side while fishing at

a discount, and

you have the

satis-

MINNOW of

faction

own

your

always

FISHING.

knowing you have

procured

At the same time,

bait.

advisable

have

stock

minnows by you.

The minnow some

little

moreover, a very hand-

is,

Take one

fish.

and examine him

shape.

his

Mark

spring salmon. ing

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; every

brown,

shade

a miniature

his beautiful colour-

silver, pink,

will

notice of

particular just

your hand

and you

closely,

Take

admire him.

white,

olive,

pale

and rose harmoniously

blended and producing a most beautiful

The

mottled appearance.

best

select are the fat, clear-coloured,

baits

from ij

to 2 inches long.

The Loach. The ling

loach, loche, stone-loach, or ground-

lures

many

absolutely one of the most deadly

for

trout.

country anglers

Lodger."

delights

better

as in

known by

Tommy

the

cleair-running

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

which

rivulets,

prefers to broad rivers;

during the daytime

keeps chiefly in the

shallow streams concealed under stones,

and can

easily be taken with a landing-

the strong, thin water, the same

net

way

as collecting creeper mentioned in a

The

previous chapter. larvae

loach feeds on the

of aquatic insects

worms

and such small

can meet, and will not

the latter part of May, June, it

in-

During

frequently bite at a baited hook.

and July

proves a most deadly lure; fished in a

similar

way

the

always accounts

for a

What

minnow, good

nearly

fish.

to Imitate.

In minnowing in large rivers or heavy waters, the secret of success

to try

imitate an injured or frightened therefore tinually, fish is at

the

and a

minnow;

unnecessary to spin conlikely

time for hooking a

the end of a spin or jerk,

minnow

and

when

almost stopping from

re-

MINNOW volving.

FISHING.

current,

but

struggling

form to draw the

bad

minnow up stream try

against

the

imitate

against

the

stream

strong

minnow and

en-

deavouring for shelter. If the

will be

spin bait

This

waters are very low and clear

advisable to cast up stream and

down and

across,

and weight the

according to the volume of water. is

best

accomplished,

using

Archer spinner, by having a pear-shaped lead on

the pin and

minnow's mouth.

inserted

Should

down

this not

the

prove

heavy enough, twist a piece of lead wire

round the trace about two spinner, or

feet

from the

a few split shot will answer

the same purpose.

CHAPTER

VII.

NIGHT FISHING. There

many

are

during

where night fishing

months of June,

the

August

rivers

well practised

July,

and

anglers, where-

as during

the day-time they are almost

deserted.

During mid-summer

through the day

Even with

fly-fishing

almost at a standstill.

a nice ripple on

the water,

trout cannot be induced to rise

take

fly

the Eden, for example, the I

way

are attaining.

of hours

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

number

have seen nightly on this river

goes a long

but they

well at night.

of rods

night

;

to prove the success they

At the same time a couple

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;say, from ten o'clock

until

mid-

passed on the banks of the river

very pleasant and enjoyable, more parti-

cularly

when

the

sun

has

full

power

NIGHT FISHING. For night

through the day. are

flies

although

quite

fishing

sufficient fairly

two

and

use,

dark care must be

taken not to make yourself conspicuous.

Take the

shelter of a dark hillside or an

embankment, as even a shadow

and

a fading

light

quickly reflected on the water,

trout, being the keenest-eyed of fishes,

are easily alarmed.

Moreover, at night-

time trout leave the streams and

and

fall

down

to the thin,

shallow

flat,

water,

and frequently feed close

sides.

Thus, they

are

pools

the

frightened

easily

way

away.

Unlike

stream

fly-fishing, night fishing is usually

practised

the

down

on the water.

correct

stream, the

fly

up-

dragging

Cast across stream slightly

below you, and follow round with the rod top about the same pace is

flowing

keeping

the

as line

the

water

taut.

approaching a good swim, do not neglect to search the

wading.

water near to you before

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

How Trout

Rise at Night.

Trout generally take the after sunset

have

—

— and

hooked.

jump once

before

very quickly

the rise of a fish

seen until he will

fly

same time meaning

at the

seldom

Frequently they

or twice out of the water

down

settling

Trout

fight.

should be thoroughly played out before

attempting to land when night-fishing, and

on the side of the

safer to land

it is

than

in a landing-net, as

and

to reserve a last effort, to

your

find

river

they always seem

dropper-fly

annoying

fast

your

landing-net or waders and the fish gone.

One evening two fishing,

noble I

seasons ago

and had succeeded

two-pounder

put the

— which,

to land

all

him

was

hooking a

by the way,

over half a score of times.

fly

Fully ten minutes did

he feeding

dash away, and

devote to this

fish,

When

tried

the while.

my I

net he

found, to

made

a final

regret, the

NIGHT FISHING.

dropper-fly caught in the net, which taught

a lesson to dispense with the net for

night-fishing, especially

side of the river.

clear

sky small

larger

flies

on the gravel-bed light nights with a

are preferable,

flies

but

should be brought into use

the sky becomes rather overcast.

Bustard or Moth Fishing. This form of night fishing often furnishes splendid sport, and the most likely water to fish

the water

miles

willows.

the slow running stream where is

not flowing more than two

hour

and

over-hung

with

Cast by the side and underneath

the willows, as this

very natural for

flies

dropping from them on to the water.

One with,

bustard

quite sufficient to fish

and a light-coloured or pale-yellow

bustard answers well.

You must

exercise

care in wading to avoid any ripples, as in

day-time, for these are

fatal.

you can-

not wade in without causing ripples, you

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

should wait patiently for a few minutes

when you have reached before casting.

move about

the desired spot

quite unnecessary to

that.

pools,

and

at night, as trout

The shallow ends

just

above stream-heads, are the choicest parts for trout feeding,

that

and a small stretch

all

required for an evening's fishing.

Maggot with the

fly,

"lordly" evening

another successful lure fished

and has accounted

trout,

fishing

and

those

seldom

many

for

who

appear

follow at

the

waterside without them.

The Flies for Night

Use..

Towards sunset during warm weather, and

all

through the darkness, trout invari-

ably rise freely to the

fly.

As long

twilight lingers use small sets of

when darkness go

off for

first

little

sets in

while,

as the

flies,

and

the rise will

and

then

advisable to change to a larger set similar to flies used for loch fishing.

The Green

NIGHT FISHING. and Grey Drakes

Of course much

answer admirably.

also

may

stronger gut

be em-

ployed in the darkness, and the angler not required to throw such a long I

advocate the use of two

flies

line.

to avoid

the chances of ravelling.

Heavy Trout at Night. The

heaviest trout are often captured in

night fishing, and

when you have

hook a good one, instantly

point of your rod and keep up.

Never

up,

the luck raise the

and ever

out more line than you

let

can possibly help, and to this end follow

your

fish

down, or

up,

across stream,

keeping as close to him as you can.

you simply stand is

still

and

let

ten to one you lose him.

him

run,

In playing a

big fish always try to keep a large portion

of the gut clear of the water.

Good banks

trout

often feed

and the

therefore, these

into

the

shallow sides of pools; quarters should be care7

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

fully cast over fly

and

all rises

must be responded

to,

to the natural

no matter how

insignificant they seem, as large trout suck

the

fly

gently down, and do not usually

cause the large ripples that smaller ones do.

Therefore,

attention.

all

rises

should

receive

CHAPTER

VIII.

A FEW HINTS ON TACKLE. Gut.

The

utmost

selecting

For

should

care

taken

good and new season's

clear water

gut.

gut

fine natural

un-

doubtedly most suitable, but owing to the difficulty

XX,

XXX,

xxxx

Should the angler it

same, drawn

of procuring

now make up is

largely

used.

own

casts,

his

as well to have the different hanks

Ix to 4x, with a hank of "

gut

medium

can thus vary his cast to

strong." suit

any

waters during the season.

Gut plays a very important angler's equipment,

part in the

and none but the best

quality should be employed.

are used to stain gut.

Various dyes

use an infusion of

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

strong tea, and steep the gut in

for half-

an-hour, which does away with much of the glitter and gives the gut a neutral

The gut should be kept Murton

skin.

(Newcastle)

has

tint.

chamois a

new

patent pig-skin pouch, containing trans-

parent

Any

admirably. gut, but little

envelopes, that

celluloid

close material

answers preserves

should be exposed to light as

as possible.

Making Up a Cast. In making up casts

soaked brittle.

needs to be well

warm water, otherwise it is Lay the ends of two strands side

Fisherman's Knot.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the gut being thoroughly well soaked â&#x20AC;&#x201D; form a loop with each of the by side, then

first

short ends of the gut, and pass the end

through

twice,

making two

half-hitches

FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.

round the pull

Now draw them

line.

This

together.

" Fisherman's

tight

and

the well-known

Knot," frequently used in

attaching dropper

flies.

If the half-hitches

are used single the waste ends should not

be cut too close.

To Attach Dropper

good way

the cast

Flies.

to attach dropper flies

make

a small loop, not larger

than a quarter of an inch, and not further

than two inches from the the main cast and double

fly; it

then take

above a knot

where you desire to attach the dropper. Insert the

main

cast,

thus doubled, through

the small loop of the dropper, then pass the dropper

fly

through

the

loop

thus

formed on the main cast; straighten the

main

cast,

and draw the dropper

above the knot.

tight

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

Thus the dropper gut,

and

will, therefore,

looped with double stand out at right

angles

from the main

When

attached with single

gut the dropper

flies

cast.

become

FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.

twisted round the cast and are rendered

almost useless.

To Attach Eyed Hooks. The

Jamb Knot

" is

one of the simplest

and most perfect ways of securing eyedhooks. in a

These can be fastened, complete,

few seconds, owing to the hook-eye

being only of sufficient size to allow the

gut to pass through, making a small and neat knot.

Take the

fly

by the bend,

between the forefinger and thumb of the left

hand, with the eye turned upwards;

pass two or three inches of gut through

the eye towards the point of the hook,

then double back the single slip-knot.

Draw

gut

and make a

the sliding knot

sufficiently tight, so as just to allow of its

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

go passing

down

over to

gradually

the

and until

run

hook-eye, then

over

the

edge,

becomes

pulHng thus

tight;

c^4 forming a neat and strong fastening, and

one

the

greatest

boons to dry

fly-

fishers.

Attaching the Reel Line to

Gut The end

Cast. is

passed through

then

down through

of the reel line

the gut loop, round

it,

the loop again, forming a figure 8; then

drawn

perfectly taut.

This method has

the advantage of forming a compact knot,

and

the

same time

easily loosened, even in darkness.

little

quite

FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.

— Creeper

tackle tiad with an eyed hook.

c-~^

Creeper Baited. 2.

— Creeper

tackle on gut with different sized hooks.

c: 3.

—Creeper stone-fly,

or grub tackle, impaling the larger

hook sideways through the body.

^ Worm 4.

— Single

Baited.

hook with needle-point used

— 5.

—

— Stewart

Fennel tackle

for

worming.

cr~

for clear- water

worm.

tackle for clear-water worming.

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Creeper

or clear- water

worm

tackle, with the gut ex-

tended beyond the hook to allow sinker,

and thus giving a

works well when

All these

fish are

for a small shot

direct pull.

This tackle

taking gingerly.

hooks should be bronzed and

rust-proof.

Fishing with minnows in medium-sized waters.

long-shanked single hook with

a small lip-hook.

The

size of large

to correspond with size of

The

hooks

minnows.

big hook should measure in length

equal to the distance from nose to the

The above

vent of the minnow.

may

also be used in

tackle

spated waters, with

the addition of a flying triangle behind

Another useful tackle fishing

composed

for

tail.

clear water

two double hooks

and a

lip

FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.

hook, arranged so as to give the

necessary curve to the

tail.

Natural Minnow Spinning Tackles. This

a modification of hooks arranged

on the Archer spinner to

my own

pattern,

Fig.

and

strongly

recommend

the best tackles of

its

to-day.

use as one of It

gives

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

brilliant spin to the bait,

hooking powers.

when as

fishing in

shown

triangle

also

be added

i a.

This tackle

la.

be adapted in low waters by

making up with water

may

heavy or coloured waters,

diagram, Fig.

Fig.

may

with unrivalled

will

fine

hooks; and in clear

be unnecessary to have any

lead on the centre-pin.

FEW HINTS ON

This

TACKLE.

simply a pin with propellers, and

the flights arranged in a similar Fig.

has a most natural

way

appear-

Archer Spinner.

ance

when

spinning,

and

proves

very

effective.

Fig. 3

shows the minnow baited with the

previous tackles, indicating the position of the hooks.

Thus

will

be seen that

it is

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

almost impossible to be seized by a trout without being hooked, yet nevertheless

Fig.

have experienced this occurrence, the two flights

being split apart and the

minnow

gone.

Natural Minnow Fishing. There are numerous tackles for trout

for spinning

with natural minnow, which

doubtless a very artistic and exciting form of sport.

years

have been a disciple

now and experimented with

kinds of every

tackle,

confidence

for

different

and consequently in

some have

recommending the

aforementioned spinners in the order of merit named.

FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.

Drop Minnow Tackle,

referred to in Chapter on

Minnow

Another good

two

Fishing.

tackle

composed of

and one

treble-hooks

small

round

hook with a small

single

tapered

lead

attached.

bait, insert the lead well

down

the

minnow's mouth, turn the tackle round, fixing the

hooks in the side and the single

hook through the

single treble

baited the

tail. is

also a

good tackle and

same way as the

single hook,

and a loop of the gut hitched round the thin part of the minnow's

tail.

all about trout fishing.

The Landing Net.

landing net

rivers,

and

very essential for most

think,

is,

now almost

There are dozens of designs

versally used.

on the market, but

prefer

good-sized rim and knuckle

when not

uni-

in use

one with a

joints, so that

can be easily carried by

slipping the handle

down

creel strap or belt

the inside of the

round the waist, thus

allowing free use of both hands to wet or

dry

fly-fishers alike.

Furthermore,

it is

a convenient position

to carry the landing-net

awkward

fences,

are troubled

when

negotiating

and especially so

by barbed-wire.

The

you net

should have a small mesh with a good depth, and can thus be used for collecting creepers and minnows.

A Rod

for Fly-Fishing.

In small wooded streams a ten feet rod is

ample length, but on

which have

fairly

open

rivers,

acquired a good volume, a

FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.

somewhat

larger

no case

weapon

desirable.

But

whatever should the length only

recommend

this latter length for a vigorous

man, where

exceed twelve

long casting

feet,

and

absolutely necessary.

The rod should balance

well,

nice action (not too supple),

having a

and should be

capable of throwing a good long line without

effort.

Care of Rod. Rods when put together or unmounted in their covers

ought never to be placed

against a wall, as they are likely to warp.

The rod cover should be kept fore

it is

better to carry

possible.

little

dry, there-

about as

vaseline

little

occasionally

rubbed on the joints of the rod, often save valuable time

and

trouble.

Well-waxed

thread, or quarter-inch broad linen tape,

should always be included in the angler's

equipment

;

breakages

from any place

may

occur

miles

of repair.

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

100

The Reel. Reels have

now obtained

a high standard

of excellence,

and being of

fine

are easily put

mechanism,

out of order.

Therefore,

great care should be taken to guard against

knocks or

falls

any kind, or coming

contact with sand. After being in reel

use on a wet day the

should be dismounted and thoroughly

cleaned, and then rubbed gently over with

a selvet and a a day's

little

fishing

unwound and

pure olive

the reel

line

After

oil.

should

the wet portion dried, other-

wise they soon

rot.

If using a fine silk line for spinning, is

most

essential

that the line be dried

immediately each day after use. are

many a

prove line

line-driers

good

wound

winder, they

wanted.

off

There

on the market that

investment.

may

the

reel

When

the

on to the

both be put away until

few hints on tackle.

loi

Waders. For ordinary very well.

trout-fishing stockings

In purchasing waders always

get a good quality; they will last twice as

long as cheap materials, and give every comfort.

Immediately

after

they

use,

should be turned inside out to allow

dampness returned.

to escape,

but in the open

and are then

to be

not dry them near a air,

or a

warm,

all

fire,

airy room.

Wading Boots or Fishing Brogues. The most durable brogues

are leather

soles,

hand-sewn throughout, with riveted

nails

and canvas uppers; they should be

made

to lace up, in

and buckles.

Boots protect the waders

better than shoes,

out

the

sand

preference to straps

inasmuch as they keep

and

small

stones,

thus

preventing chafing.

Hand-knitted Shetland wool socks of a heather-coloured mixture wear well.

CHAPTER

IX.

LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. Loch

fishing,

does not require the same amount

skill to creel

it is

compared with

a fair basket

;

river

nevertheless,

a most enjoyable pastime, and appeals

to the angler on account of the superior size

and quality

of the trout caught.

old angling friends used to

us that

little

avail unless there

sufficient breeze to

cause a nice ripple

fly-fishing

was

was of

tell

Our

on the water, but now our ideas on the subject are altogether different.

With

the use

the finest

gut

and

improved tackle generally there are few

when

trout

on our

lakes.

occasions

with is

fly

now becoming

may

not be taken

Again, lake fishing

very popular throughout

LOCH OR LAKE FISHING.

IO3

the United Kingdom, and perhaps largely

on account of the over-crowding of anglers on our

rivers.

The Equipment for the Lake. The

from a boat

opinion, for fishing

one of eleven

moderately

light,

best rod, in

stiff,

be fished with either hand.

weapon

better,

and

one of twelve to fourteen angler

requires

necessary

If the angler

from the shore, a

intends fishing longer

feet in length,

and one that can

cast

when using a

little

recommend

feet long, as the

farther than

boat.

first-class

cane-built, or one entirely of green-heart, is

the best description of rod.

most

It is also

essential for the angler to choose a

rod that

heavy

not in the slightest degree too

for continuously casting

throughout

the day.

The

best

line is a

waterproof

choice, of a greenish colour

silk

for

and about 50

yards in length, with a tapered tippet of

104

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

twisted gut or horse hair about 2J yards long, spliced to the line

so that

may

not catch on the rings of the rod while

being reeled

in.

The winch

a very important part of

the outfit for loch fishing, and in addition to balancing, the rod should be one of the

quick-winding or multiplying reels

now on

the market, with an easy-going regulating check, and just sufficiently strong to pre-

vent the line over-running.

The

on many winches are much too still-water fishing, fish

when more

hooked

fish

stiff

for

and consequently heavy on

and

fine

tackle

respect through a too

tackle

are

There are doubt-

almost a hopeless task. less

ratchets

stiffly

this

running

reel

lost

than any other cause that lake anglers

have to contend against.

Conditions to be Considered.

Many

anglers do not sufficiently study

the various

aspects

the

subject

and

LOCH OR LAKE FISHING.

IO5

system of loch-fishing compared with the

who

river-fisher,

has learned the cunning

ways of approaching contrary, they think

any loch that has been

secure a basket of

his quarry.

the

quite easy to go little

fished

and

Such, however,

fish.

not the case, and large trout are not

easily captured

unless scientific methods

are employed.

For

same

after

flies

in the all

day

same way,

states

instance, they use the

day, fishing exactly

in all sorts of lochs, in

of water,

wind, and weather,

times of the day, and at any period of the

angling

Consequently they

season.

only succeed on favourable days.

attain

study

fly

should

circumstances.

worked

and slow against the

sufliciently fast to

surface.

If the

varying

If there is a light breeze

trout generally rise well to the fly direct

make

and

observation of the different ways

careful

the

success,

keep the

waves are

drawn

ripple, flies

just

on the

large, the flies

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

I06

should be drawn sideways between them, or should there be a swell on

best

below the surface

to sink the flies slightly

and work them sideways.

When As a general

" Strike."

rule in loch-fishing, trout

must not be struck too quickly; wait the pull are,

There

"felt" before striking.

however, exceptions to every

until

rule,

and

on a calm day, when the surface of the water

is like

rising shyly,

a sheet of glass and fish are I

believe in

striking

diately the surface of the water

immebroken.

In loch-fishing, as opposed to river-fishing, trout

frequently rise

make

the

flies

often

for

movement

first

the

backward

cast.

you

lifting

the

This

has

fly

occurred to the writer in using a

double-handed rod and fishing from the sides,

wading

the angler have the result

in.

his

this

finger

case,

should

on the

line,

disastrous, ending in lifting

LOCH OR LAKE FISHING.

I07

the fish a foot or two on the water and the hook tearing away.

There are great differences of opinion

how and when

as to I

think greatly depends on

and on the

are rising

However,

This

to "strike."

how

the fish

state of the water.

strongly advise the angler not

Large loch

to be too quick in striking.

trout are nearly always slow takers, thus it is

very

instant

difficult to

determine the correct

when

strike

are

fish

rising

shyly.

When

to Use Fine Tackle.

On calm

days,

with

sunshine

bright

from a cloudless sky, much depends on your tackle, and circumstances, count, the

course under these

when angling

finer

the

tackle

at a dis-

the

greater

your chances of sport. Again, half the battle in loch-fishing

knowing the feeding-ground on which lie,

therefore

behoves

the

angler

fish

I08

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

observe and keep a constant look out for

any is

moving.

fish

a fairly

breeze

stiff

blowing, causing small waves, the gleam

of trout

easily detected near the

surface of the water than the actual rise to the fly If this

itself.

not known, the boat should

be rowed very slowly and quietly against the wind

(if

great care as

little

the surface

tolerably

smooth

should be exercised to cause

ripple as possible with the oars),

the angler searching with a

medium

length

of line at right angles from the stern of

the boat.

Should he get a

fish feeding, let

sixty yards drift

over

then

fifty

beyond and turn the boat and the

place

In open water

where

they

were

Should he be success-

continue

vicinity until

fish

or observe

the boatman row

observed moving. ful,

rise,

short

drifts

the

the rise comes to an end. it

easy to follow a good

and "play" him from the boat, but

should there be weed-beds, great care must

LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. be taken to coax the open.

weather to coax the

fish

otherwise the boat

drift

certain

over the line and foul the

many

shoals,

of our it

flies.

Shoals.

lochs trout travel in

thus

stormy

to the windward,

almost

Loch Trout In

out into the

fish

desirable

also

lOQ

a wise

policy to

exhaust the immediate neighbourhood of rising fish in preference to for better sport:

moving about

a practice too frequently

followed by beginners, which often ends

with the result of

when

it is

on.

In fishing ''

dead

off,"

"the take"

missing

a loch

when

proves

sport

the ordinary method of drifting

must not be too

strictly

the angler should leave no Trolling with

well, but in this

to,

method

untried.

sometimes works

fly

method

use a larger-sized

fly

and

adhered

and a

gut to meet the extra strain.

fairly

advisable to little

stouter

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

The boat should be rowed windward

quietly along the

slowly and side

of the

loch in about seven to eight feet of water, letting out

about forty yards of line from

the stern of the boat.

For blow-line natural

rod

flies,

about

fishing or

dapping with

the most suitable length of fifteen

feet,

light,

yet fairly

stiff.

The

reel

must have an easy ratchet and

run smoothly, the drum being well

filled

with backing with about seventy-five yards of fine gossamer silk spliced on, and a trace of fine gut three yards long, together

with a thin wire hook.

Preference for Natural Flies. The when

natural freshly

possible

them

flies

are sweetest

gathered,

will

collected

the day's fishing.

and

and best whenever

repay the angler to have in

the early morning for

This can easily be done

LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. by employing satisfied

local boys,

who seem

quite

with a shilling or two, and they

are always on the alert

about, especially in the fly

Ill

when

May

anglers are

and stone-

fly

season.

May

flies,"

the " Drakes " of Ireland,

" stone-flies," " daddy-long-legs,"

bottles"

and " blue-

work wonders by means of the Being of

blow-line proving most deadly.

a very delicate nature, however, they need to

be carefully and judiciously handled.

The yellow drake and

the grey drake seem

particularly attractive,

and beyond doubt

account for some heavy baskets of

While these

flies

fish.

are on the hatch

simply a waste of time trying any other

Other insects

lure.

may

be gathered in

the shallow water of lochs or out of any

small rivulets flowing into the same, and are to be manipulated in a

The

natural

may be season.

flies

that

similar way.

abound

in the loch

used successfully throughout the

112

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

To Use the Natural Fly. Assuming the angler and the boat

in all readiness

in a favourite "drift,"

impale

a brace of "drakes" on the hook, and thus

with about

yards of line out hold

five or six

the rod in an upright position, and with the wind at your back straight out.

will drift the line

Then, when

lower your rod top and the

fully extended, flies will

on the surface of the water just oft-quoted thistle-down. observed, or the

flies

When

alight

like the

a rise

are sucked down, the

merest tightening of the line

send the hook home.

sufficient to

must, therefore,

always be borne in mind that when using delicate tackle

quite unnecessary to

strike.

When

fish is

hooked, he will rush, then

probably plunge out of the water. be

so,

If this

the rod top must be instantly lowered

until he regains his

own

element.

Every

care must be taken in playing a loch trout,

LOCH OR LAKE FISHING.

II3

and as a general

rule

prove splendid specimens of the scaly

tribe.

as they die hard,

The Natural Minnow. Another tempting lure

that of trolling

and spinning a natural minnow.

This

accomplished by employing a

best

undressed No.

i or

No. 2

have frequently had good

results

fine

and

silk line,

this

of fishing on bright calm days, with

mode

a clear Italian sky and a surface on the

water

like glass.

similar rod used for blow-line fishing

answers.

The

reel requires to

sized one, well filled with line

be a large-

and capable

of quick winding, with sufficient space

left

on about 150 yards of the

fine

to splice lines

No.

or No.

The spinning

described in the chapter on

minnow

tackle fishing

answers well.

Row

briskly but quietly along the loch,

letting out the line until the

whole of the

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

114

quite clear of

then

oars,

and the

out,

silk line is

all

When

zig-zag.

spinning

the wakes caused by the

should

boat

the

bait

a fish

hooked

rowed it

will

probably jump two or three times out of the water before settling

Then

the

make bold a

gone

and

at least a

the process of winding

The

fight. I

to say that the angler will have

lively, exciting time,

fish is

down

commences, and

sport

real

will

imagine the

dozen times during

him

in.

trace should be about four feet long,

with two or three swivels to ensure a good spin on the bait.

Large trout

bottom

feeders,

tempting

invariably

and

meaty

become

in spinning

morsels

five

solely

with su'^h

and

pounders frequently prove victims. In rough water or with

wind blowing, a short yards

line of

boisterous

about forty

quite sufficient for trolling.

If trolling in

a good depth of water the

spinner requires to be well down, thus a

LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. with black

body;

or water-rat

II7

Bustard

and yellow body; Orange Governor, Dark Partridge and orange; the Cinnamon, blue,

and jay; the Butcher and Alexandra.

olive, I

tied

may

also

add that small

about three

feet

river

apart on

flies,

gut,

fine

have been used to advantage on unfavourable days with smooth water.

The

used must be ruled

size of flies to be

according to state of water and weather, but

do not advocate too large a

size,

especially in reservoirs.

For Dull Weather. In dull weather, or freely

when

on the surface,

trout are rising

flies

imitating the

natural insect are the most reliable, while

during bodied

bright flies

the day

may

weather

showy

silver

be used to advantage.

calm or only a

slight ripple

the water, cast frequently; but, on the other

ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

Il8

hand,

a good breeze

should be allowed to

drift

blowing, the

flies

more.

Fishing from the Shore.

When quarters

angling

from

trout

for

near beds of reeds

may

are

shore

beneath

ideal trees,

weeds, or

and the various

boulders, etc.,

ployed

the

large

em-

lures

be fished close into the shore.

spinning a natural minnow, trout

quently chase

from the deeper water and

do not attempt to seize the bait until close into the

fre-

shore,

it is

when they make

dash and seize the lure almost at your

Angling from the shore with

feet.

worm

another branch in loch fishing, but

not personally in favour of this phase of the sport. days,

two of

However, on bright or stormy

sometimes accounts fish,

only

for a brace or

recommend worm

fishing as a last resource.

The

angler

required to cast a long line

LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. with

worm on

spot

a single hook; a desirable

where the worm can sink

water as

deepens quickly.

the line slowly, in shore.

IIQ

Should a

little

fish

to remain until you

the

Then draw

short jerks, to the

nibble allow the line

feel

him

again, before

striking.

THE WALTER SCOTT

I'UBl.ISHING CO., LTD., FELLING-ON-TVNE.

I/-

EDITION OF THIS included

Red"

Series.

WORK

the " useful

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