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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
of
five-and-twenty seasons by the riverside,
my
aim
to
is
convey to the reader,
simple language, the outcome of experience,
in
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,
in
is
and to
to touch give,
upon every legitimate
in
the smallest limits,
practical information with advice that will
enable
the
further
novice
instruction,
to
proceed
and
meet
without with
a
share of success in angling.
To mend
those
commencing,
I
can
recom-
angling as one of the most whole-
IV1842719
PREFACE.
VI
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one
some
of
those
who pursue
afford
them an abiding pleasure that
pastimes
it
in
that
will
keep
good health and will
be as fresh at sixty as sixteen. It
only remains to state that what has
been said
in
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
I.
...
15
CHAPTER .
9
II.
ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING
DRY FLY-FISH L\G
PAGE
.
CHAPTER
in. .•
.
.
40
IV.
CREEPER AND STONE FLY-FISHING
.
.
45
CONTENTS.
viii
CHAPTER
V. I'AGE
WORM
FISHING
53
CHAPTER
VI.
MINNOW FISHING
67
CHAPTER
VII.
NIGHT FISHING
78
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
IN
.
.
THE
STREAM WITH LANDING-NET
.14
STRONG .
.
46
GATHERING CREEPER AT THE WATER EDGE
WHEN
THEY
ARE
ABOUT
JUST
TO
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
68
ALL ABOUT
TROUT FISHING. CHAPTER
I.
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
is
a
make
it
is
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.
is
brown, however,
if
you have with
higher up the stream,
difficulty in locating
you
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
10
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
of
fear
little
bothered with parr, those pests of down-
stream
In
fishers.
brother-angler fishing
think
it
is
a good
when
fact,
I
down stream thing
for
Copy Nature, and produce
I
see
a
always
the trout.
a shade
flies
smaller in preference to larger than the natural insect.
Do give
not be afraid to sink your preference
to
flies,
dressing,
spider
and also
look carefully to the fineness of the gut.
Bushy, heavily-dressed trout
able,
as
more
easily attracted
slim.
Keep
in
eyed of fishes
are,
flies
like
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
A
them away.
ii
golden rule
is
to
keep out of sight.
Value of
A
pocket lens
a Pocket Lens.
is
very useful to examine
the contents of the stomach of the
Even though
you land.
fish
it
first
may
be
partly digested, with a powerful lens you
frequently can feeding on.
what the
detect
a good breeze, cast your
in
on the side the food It
advisable
is
the felt;
line,
When
detail.
to
is
flyflies
drifting towards.
keep your
as a gentle pull
you can then
are
copy
repeat, always try to
I
Nature to the minutest fishing
fish
is
finger
more
on
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
in
when stranded
also keep the net well
netting
him.
Patience,
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
12
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
at
and night ful
;
trout
once clear away.
fishing
then
deeper water
Good
water.
wade
very
in
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
it
up and
and as soon
element, up with
Never
let
out more
AN INTRODUCTION TO ANGLING. line
13
than you can possibly help, and to
end
this
your
follow
stream, keeping
fish
below him.
slightly
you simply stand
still
you are almost sure to
up or down
and
If
him run
let
lose him.
Study the Habits of Trout.
^
A
good knowledge of the habits of trout
materially help the angler, and in small
when
waters,
fishing
practically
is
at
a
standstill,
an hour or so
watching
the
the
This can be done by creeping
fish.
well spent in
is
movements and habits of
cautiously, taking
the shelter of any
all
cover that the riverside affords. also
give
near
he
being
the
angler
an
may approach He can observed.
of
idea
a
fish
also
It
will
how
without
take note
of what
particular kind of water fish are
feeding
in
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;whether
it
be the
shallows,
the streams, the medium, or deeper water.
all about trout fishing.
14
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
it
with perhaps a tinge of contempt,
Oh,
I
have not the patience to become Well,
a fisherman!"
candidly admit
I
I
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
I
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
is
to
that,
my mind
rise
the
comes
charm of
though perfection
unattainable, yet progress, and with fair
of
amount
all.
of success,
is
it
is
a
within the reach
WET
FLY-FISHING. See page
15.)
CHAPTER
II.
ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING.
Wet,
or sunk,
North; and
whenever
fly-fishing
indulged
universally
I
in
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.
A
is
rod of 9
ft.
6
in.
,
to ii feet
is
the handiest length, and, personally,
about I
do
not like them too supple; the lighter, with a moderate stiffness, the better.
Limber
rods for up-stream fishing are not good.
There to
is
what
so
is
much
difference of opinion as
the best material for rod-making
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
l6 that
I
refrain
mendation
from any definite recomfrom
apart
cautioning
my
readers against the purchase of cheap rods.
On
one point, however, there can be no
two opinions, that
is,
selecting a
in
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
to
;
it
if is
manipu-
necessary in up-
Casting
stream casting.
from the wrist
is
is
the
done
chiefly
rod
bound
unsatisfactory
is
to
too lead
fishing.
Lightness with free action are desirable.
The Reel. It
reel
is
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
17
is
up
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.
A
Much depends upon
tapered line
Otherwise
advantage.
use
a
is
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
to
give
instructions
in
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
of
TO Cast.
with a moderate length of not
more than
sixteen
or
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
15
seventeen feet; just prior to making the
backward cast
raise the rod top sufficiently
to gather the slack line; then considerable
force
is
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.
is
Of course,
extended;
fully
slight
and the rod
movement
itself will
line,
that
is
this
of the
carry out the
there are occasions
a certain amount of force
extend the
made imme-
is
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
to
do the work them-
working both body and arm;
in
ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. fact,
one friend
read
this,
will
him out
of the
heave of the arm plish this
had
I
it
way
I
he
am
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
at
IQ
In this
enabled to overcome the
way he was Always
difficulty.
bear in mind that every cast should as
much
as
wrist, keeping the
close
and
by the at the
made
be
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
In
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
at
are
con-
a
down
float
about
them
again.
for
but keep
natural
flies
your are
20
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
carried
down more
or less rapidly, accord-
Do
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.
is
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.
Do
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,
am
bold to say scores are seized in the
middle
passage.
No
is
fly
on,
This
but
occasional trout.
is
you
Open
easily
are
the
proved.
getting
mouth
an
of the
trout,
squeeze the body, and you will be
much
astonished at the mass
food
disgorged.
As
already
of
insect
stated,
a
small pocket lens proves very useful to ascertain
what the
trout are feeding on.
artificial fly-fishing.
When
21
to Strike.
In striking in
up-stream fishing, " the
rise of a fish " is
not always seen, for the
your
simple reason that four
or
inches
five
fly
probably
is
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
if
;
or
if
see your line stop, instantly tighten
cannot do this too soon. is
an art that
practice
is
:
you
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
it
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
be
responded
to
by
instantly
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
22
tightening the line.
It
is
remarkable on
some days what a small percentage
of fish
How-
you hook
in
comparison with
ever, this
is
unavoidable by even the most
experienced
may have something the
in
and
Light
angler.
particularly
rises.
do with
to
part
early
season.
Also, trout are not in
dition
and
;
and when light,
this,
the
of
good con-
the earlier months they
in
are generally
clouds
more
in
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
in
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
to
ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. April
in
fish
the
are
23
running
gentle
streams, as trout, being out of condition, are unable to live in the stronger water.
Therefore, attention
A
water.
the to
must
angler
devote
his
the pools and slow-running
favourite
cast
under over-
is
any
other
the
river.
During the early part of the season
trout,
growing such
as
willows,
by the
shelter
a
general
or
trees,
rule,
of
side
take
better
in
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,
if
make
angler.
little
good
under these con-
on
bent for
fishing,
the sheltered
stretches.
The Spring March
During frequent,
winds,
and
Spates.
accompanied with
and
regret, they
generally,
spates
April
to
fairly
the
blow down stream.
are
strong angler's
However,
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
24
on these occasions the water
somewhat
is
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,
of
addition to the weight of the
has the
angler
pulling
mouth,
When is
the
water
The hooks being
with.
it
of
pull
this
direct
almost
is
fish,
he
so small,
out
of
sure
as,
in
he also
contend
to
and the
the
fish's
occur.
to
striking a fish in up-stream fishing,
done by a motion of the
wrist,
must be instantaneous but gentle striking easily
if
almost certain to pull
is
out
fish.
sufficient
is
otherwise,
should strike he fly
fish.
from striking a rising
refrain
The mere
by the
the run of the water keeps
is
and
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;heavy
dangerous, and a habit that
acquired
violent striking.
;
therefore,
Much
try
to
is
avoid
presence of mind
ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. is
25
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
of
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
to
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
26
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
month
or six weeks earlier.
good
baskets
I
to
refer
When
I
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
is
life.
hilly dis-
have seen
I
March browns appear on
the water at the end of April and beginning
May on
of
main
rivers
June
is
Rede-water, whereas on the it
had been
quite early
a month.
off fully
enough
commence
to
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
is
a
the
water, and this seldom occurs until June is
fairly established.
The Charm of the Burns.
Two
flies
probably
are
one
ample
may
for
be
burn used
fishing,
to
and
greater
ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. advantage.
All the angler has to
keep out of sight and get his
and he
water,
2;
is
do
fly
is
almost certain of a
He
from every pool.
rise
much
be
will also
to
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
to
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.
If
using two
they should
flies,
not be more than two feet apart.
Some Reliable The killers,
following
and
I
list
of
Flies. flies
are
good
have found them to work
well throughout the season.
no means complete;
They
are by
but, from experience,
I
think there are few days during the season that one or other of trout.
In
making
them
will fail to lure
up a cast
vary the
ALL About trout Wishing.
28
shades, selecting a dark
red
and a
fly,
fly,
a brown
light coloured fly,
or
and you
will thus ascertain the right colour.
Flies are the
most important lures
in
In our rivers
we
the angler's equipment.
the winged
have two types of
flies,
spider or hackle.
The former
is
fly
and
decidedly
the closer imitation of the natural insect,
but the latter
is
out and out the most
deadly.
The
following varieties are amongst the
first flies
to
make
appearance at the
their
opening of the trouting season, of course providing the weather
hatching of insect
life.
is
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,
2g
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.
is
size of fly
cases the
all
should be regulated according
to the size floods,
In
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.
30
Red Palmer
a good fly throughout the
is
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
of
Woodcock winged
well in the latter
part of April
fly kills
the
dressing
and into the middle
of
May
on warm days. Murton's Favourite.
famous
killing fly,
Coquet,
North
Cumberland
This pattern
is
a
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
I
have also
fishing.
Bracken clock
is
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
is
an excellent
fly
during
ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING.
May,
in
when
the natural
weather with a gentle
dull
flies
water, and on such
North
Irthing,
3I
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
is
May and through the angler who has a
June, and happy
this specie, for trout
rise
of
it,
and
is
on.
dyed
will look at
This
fly
feathers,
after a
feather
are
is
it
it
with
imitated
often
worthless,
as
off
the
killer
on
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,
It
correct imitation of
few casts the dye washes
Black spider
it.
is
is
fishes
late spring
splendidly
water with a ruffled surface.
taken a score of
fish
on I
and thin,
have
on a good swim
in
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
32
with this
hours
specimen.
a couple
of
Cummins,
of Bishop Auckland, stocks
standard North-country,
etc.,
all
patterns.
Dotterel hackle, with yellow or orange
body,
a general favourite on
is
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;
it
has a good character, and
used generally by
The
Olive
is
fly-fishers.
Dun
appears in
fly
various shades, and
it
May
in
as well to have
is
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.
33
Some Made-up Casts. The
made-up
following
I.
—
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.
2.
— March
well's glory,
No.
3.
brown
Green-
spider.
Light Woodcock.
— Red
palmer or spring black.
Blue dun. Dark Snipe and Purple. No.
4.
yellow,
— Waterhen,
Grey Partridge and
Dark Woodcock.
These casts can always be varied by substituting another of the early
the
which
point,
changed.
is
by
The dropper
the
far flies
flies
easiest
should
placed about two and a half feet
on
be
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
to
method
make
to
attach
a small loop
ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING.
34
not larger than a quarter of an inch about
two inches from the
double the main
fly,
above a knot where
cast
you
desire
to
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
is
attached with double gut, and thus stands out at right angles from the main
In another chapter
Tackle")
will
be
cast.
("A Few Hints on
found
an
illustration
(page 88).
How I
am
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
is
In this
a sufficient volume of water
the angler;
circumstances
fly-
it
is
and under these
advisable to fish
down
ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING.
and across stream, using a
fairly
35
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 ;
nd
Ii
-A^g
so travel very slowly.
all about trout fishing.
36
Seasons of the Year. In April fly-fishing
rather uncertain in
is
the early part of this month, and the rise
is
usually of short duration; from eleven to
one o'clock
is
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
in
prime
May,
condition
and spread themselves over the stronger streams and shallower running currents.
Fly
is
generally in abundance, and alto-
gether sport the day.
is
more
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
is
37
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
it
basket of fish
may
May Dun.
month the
all
main
sometimes happens that a
as Yellow Sally,
yellow
on
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.
38
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
to
fly, it
be found more
will
use the
selection
finest
of
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
a
larger
set
See another chapter on
Night Fishing (page
78).
August. Fly-fishing
during
this
month
is
also
uncertain except at night-time.
September.
Good fly
sport
is
frequently had with the
during this month, especially in a black
ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING.
39
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
I
tackle
it
in
month
life is
I
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
is
rapidly
perhaps so
it
many
is
has
north-country
in
owing
the
to
presence of
south-country anglers patroniz-
The
the novice to adopt
expert,
rivers,
more general;
becoming
ing our northern rivers. for
been very
hitherto
if
best course
to
watch an
few days.
for
a
rod
should be
possible,
dry fly-fishing the
is
In
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
is
interesting in the
extreme, not only for the
specimens but
for
many
different
the correct imitations
DRY FLY-FISHING. the
of
natural
41
themselves
flies
the
in
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.
is
easily ascertained
that
fly
by no
is
by the unskilled,
and generally ends with the angler having to secure the natural
much time
is
and even then
fly,
taken up in comparing the
natural with the
artificial
to
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
it
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.
42
wards and forwards times to dry rising fish
it
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
in
the fish length
four
line
above the
fish,
fly
allowing the if
there
lifting off
as not to disturb him;
him
of
to float
no response, of yards
the water, so
then dry the
fly
in the air before casting over
Much
again.
method
is
slightly
fly
to float a couple
below him before
by whisking
Cast
required.
naturally over him;
allow the
ascertain the
so as to
rising,
is
of
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
is
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.
of
floating
which
are
double
on
the
water
alight
greatest difliculty
dragging the
is
one
of
winged, generally as
in preventing the line
does
so,
fly
I
you proceed up another rising
Dry pools
the result
only.
is
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.
is
is
43
river
you have
him down,
to
when a
look
repetition
for
of
gone through again.
fly-fishing
works to advantage
and slow-running water, with
in
or
without a ripple; but in the former case the angler must be extremely cautious in
approaching the
fish,
and always
fish
up
stream.
The deer
reel line
fat,
and
it
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
4
fly
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
44
Hne dragging
alights, thus preventing the
Should the
the
fly.
fly,
strike immediately.
fish rise
and take the
Familiar Floating Flies.
The number
me
great for
to
of
floating
are too
flies
mention here, but
I
name
a few favourites, dressed with two pair of
wings:
Brown
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ;
Greenwell's Glory;
3.
Iron Blue, light and dark
Woodcock, hare lug and Blue
March
i.
Dun
;
6.
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
2.
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
is
the larvae of the Stone
Fly, usually termed the "
May
Fly
" in the
makes
its
appearance towards the end of May.
In
north,
because
the larvae stage
it is
one of the most deadly
Creeper-fishing works well as soon
lures.
as
generally
it
commence
trout
dition,
to
improve in con-
and are capable of feeding
streams.
It
may
be
beginning of April.
commenced about
Many
anglers
the mistake of fishing creeper best
of the season
is
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.
46
on the feed of them, as get
washed away
in
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
is
your landing-net (which
to hold
should have a good-sized mouth with a small mesh) position
gravel
that
over
in
front
of
you
your
with
One
net.
brogues
is
handy
in
the
them
into
of Murton's japanned-tin
creeper-boxes, with inside,
such a
turning the stones and
in
stream, the current will wash
your
in
for
a
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.
47
stones over in the shallow water with your
hand; but this
them
way
a slow
is
comparison with a
in
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)
in
about
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; two
at
(sizes
five-eighths
the
point
of
two an
and one
To
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
to
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
like
clear- water
''worming,"
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
48
exercising care in
up
ripples
wading not water
the
any
to send
your
herald
to
approach. It
is
about
advisable to have a small
six inches
strong
in
better
up the gut when
water,
down
in the strong streams.
fished, especially the all
an
uncommon
four trout in as
is
most carefully
edges of gravel-beds It
is
of no
dead or deep water.
pull your fish
he
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
it
worked with a
be in favour
single hand.
It
CREEPER FISHING. is
required to be fairly
cases one has to
lift
49 as
stiff,
in
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.
In
fact, trout will
there is I
is
take creeper as soon as
sufficient daylight, providing there
The same
no mist about. have mentioned
the stone-fly.
For
on Tackle (page
is
tackle
as
also suitable to fish
illustration, see
Chapter
gi).
The Stone-Fly. The most stone-fly
With
is
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
50
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
it
middle,
and bind round
with string,
^
Female Stone-Fly.
making a
it
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
Ui
w z o u, ^
'^ in
TJ
2,
f)
S
s?:
rt
Di
u
CA! ffi
H <
O
CREEPER FISHING. side of large stones,
51
where there
is
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
is
easily
the male, and
size of
caught
in
The male
latter.
difficult to catch,
being
comparison
fly
much
indeed
is
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
is
very tender.
Shade-Fishing.
The
stone-fly
is
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.
52
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
in
creeper.
also found in
is
be baited and
same way
as
the
This lure also works well by the
side of pools, casting a fairly long line up-
stream.
A
combination
of
the
caddis
used in the slower running water and the creeper
works sive
in
well.
to
the
stronger streams usually
These
look
at
fastidious anglers
baits are rather repul-
and
who
handle,
so
those
object to bait-fishing
generally had better skip these few pages.
CHAPTER
WORM
FISHING.
Up-stream worm proves
waters
fishing
very
summer months,
V.
in
deadly
low,
clear
during
the
especially in hot weather,
and, providing there
is
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
of
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
a
worm
immediately seized.
This
heeded by the it is
of fishing
is
fish,
whereas
if
becoming more
popular, 5
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
54
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.
A
It
is
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
of
frequently happens that one has
water.
It
heavy
fish to
hold in the strong water from
snags, weirings, etc., so a fairly
required;
medium
variety
stiff
rod
is
also the rod must not be too
highly polished, otherwise the glitter in bright sunshine will seriously interfere with sport.
A
preparation that dulls the rod
completely, and
when
applied dries in a
few minutes, can be purchased from tackle dealers.
It
is
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.
14
dead low
the shallow water, the
shadow proves
merest
55
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
to
and with a single hook sometimes
In
fact,
almost every
fish
and renders
it
large supply of I
worms
worm may do
trout.
I
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.
56
To
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
is
thrown back with
an easy swing and brought forward with as
little
force as circumstances will allow,
the rod top making
Of
in fly-fishing. is
more
of a circle than
course,
if
a long line
being used, or the wind blowing against
you,
it
almost
is
necessary to bring the rod top
on
the
surface
of
the
water,
thus to extend the line fully and allow the
worm
If casting
to
fall
lightly
on the water.
over a strong current to the
thin water beyond, should the line be at all
immersed
it
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
is
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
is
when
midsummer
alarming the trout,
during
as
importance to
such vital
of
is
it
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
a
exposed
the
to
his
air
and
on
the
the
ceived,
In
and should
fact,
back
cising
has
been
sun, causing
skin.
angler
Under easily
is
a
these per-
at all times take every
precaution in approaching the
You must
frequently
such shallow water
of
circumstances
whiteness
in
in
fish.
therefore fish up-stream, exer-
care in
wading not
to
send any
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
58
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
is
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
a
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
I
latter
fish
straight
casting sideways.
way
the
worm
does
naturally, even in shallow
have tried
it
in
various forms,
WORM and
find
fish
straight
may
FISHING.
way
the sure
up
in
"the
off
straight,"
but
is
to
You
you.
of
an occasional
certainly get
casting
success
to
firont
59
fish I
by
have
always found that in fishing to the side of
me
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
to
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
it
is
their is
in
favour of the trout, and unless you fish
be practically
correctly, creels will
of emptiness." fish straight
up
So
here repeat again,
in front of you.
The The
I
*'full
Cast.
gut cast should be seven or eight
feet long
with a few strands of
fine
drawn
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
6o
gut on the lower portion next to the hook,
and tapering with undrawn towards the reel
Of
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
is
the cast must be shortened,
gut
fine
is
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,
in
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
is
advisable
possible this
proceed as
to
near as
up the centre of the stream, as
way one comes
in
to closer quarters with
the fish without being perceived.
If
you
are fortunate to have the surface of the
water ruffled a used.
much
shorter line
may
be
WORM
6l
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
in
when they it
is
as well
to have a supply of both.
Best Time for "Worming." The most when
suitable time for
worming
is
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
if
a gentle breeze
is
on
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
to
dis-
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
62
Of course they can only be
appointing.
when
fished
there
sufficient
is
wind
to
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
a
before
broken water
is
it
for
a few In
flood.
quite
an easy
matter for an angler to take a trout from a
good run, but
work
tific
it
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,
is
sufficient to
gives warning
it
and the merest
alarm those above.
a calm day only the streams are
and
the
angler
should
approach
fish-
the
WORM
FISHING.
63
water side fully twenty yards the ripple is first apparent.
pay particular attention
where
below
you do not
If
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
a
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
a
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
to
and seldom
prove unproductive. Little
time
should
fishing small rivers;
the
wasted
when
but with rivers like
Eden, Coquet, or
different.
be
the
Tyne,
it
is
In any of these rivers, or others
of a similar volume, a good stretch of water
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
64
up much time
takes
and should
to exhaust,
be fished twice over, by the angler wading farther
into
attempt. low,
if
water
the
All water,
there
is
on
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
of
but in
fish,
water
line,
and
to
keep
out
of
Once the water has been disturbed labour in vain to
fish
is
much
necessary for the angler to use a longer
it
sight. it
is
again before a
it
couple of hours or so have elapsed.
Flooded Waters. So
far
these remarks
clear water fishing,
have I
little
am
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.
in
stirs
65
which frequently
rivers,
foul,
weather
sometimes
FISHING.
up good
hot,
It
also
fish to feed
more
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
I
practicable the whole
only during June and
advocate
months
these
is
it
I
is
of Year.
it
its
strongly urge
is fairly
as during
forms the principal food, its
practice immedi-
ately the stone-fly fishing
June
use,
over.
is
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.
66
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.
Of
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
is
permissible
exciting of all
FISHING,
practicable the whole
is
and
of the season,
VI.
in rivers
modes
this lure
found the most
will be
it
where
of fishing.
It
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
at
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
if
the rod
minnow is
at all
68
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
supple you have
bait in the strong
your rod
in
command water. The
little
of your
point of
spinning should always be kept
below the elbow, and a good wrinkle
is
to
keep your rod top below the surface when fishing in a strong water.
The
natural minnow, which
tionably the best lure, has
is
many
kinds of tackle to fish same.
I
recommend, however, a tackle
but
different
strongly after
the
Archer spinner, which spins
style of the
well;
unques-
I
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.
6g
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
it
in short jerks; turn the rod top
minnow up stream
and bring the similar way.
You
trout takes
at the turn, so
it
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.
A
lead will be required in heavy waters.
In
Clear Water.
Another way
in clear
water
is
to fish the
rough streams where nothing but conditioned fish will be found. line as the length of
in
your
left
Use
as
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
it
down and
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
70
Trout
across stream in sharp jerks.
be found behind big stones.
down
Also
will
fish
it
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
in
fishing are
good sport
in this
manner
other kinds of
all
off.
The Drop Minnow. Drop minnow angling which practised in
fishing
awkward is
it
corners,
it
over.
There are
mode
deep
in
overhung with
would be an impossibility
which
in this
very deadly and can be
is
water or where
another form of
is
different
trees
to spin
ways of baiting
of procedure.
Personally
I
use a single hook leaded round the shank,
and
tied to a length of gut
which
is
looped.
minnow
The way
to bait
the
hand between thumb and
left
finger,
take
is
the
to hold the
baiting
through the loop of gut
needle
in
fore-
passed
in the right
hand
MINNOW
FISHING.
7I
and push through the minnow's mouth,
coming out
draw the tackle
at the tail,
through the hook which
mouth and attach your
is
left
out at the
trace by a hook-
swivel.
Use a short
line
to
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
it
up
and down, gradually getting down into the deeper water, and should a trout be
about he
is
him
feel
minnow strike
certain to seize.
him
give in
his
time
When
you
turn
the
to
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
be
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.
72
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
I
only
with.
method during the height
advise this
summer
interfered
it
of
in the clearest waters.
Spinning with a Patent Casting-
Reel. Spinning with a patent casting-reel has
many
advantages, and
vogue.
It
offers
with an hour's
any other is
reel,
no
largely in
facilities
feet
of
longer
He
to
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
is
in
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.
Of
course,
it
is
reel
neces-
sary to use a fine silk spinning line, No.
i
MINNOW or No.
able
2,
A
rod
is
with
line
kinking.
it
requisite
advis-
is
it
the
prevent
fat so as to
special
73
hot weather
in
occasionally rub
to
mutton
and
FISHING.
casting
for
with a patent spinning-reel, and a useful length heart
is
about ten
and with
which have
feet,
of green-
porcelain
special
on the
less friction
This style of spinning
made
is
rings,
fine lines.
practised both
up and down stream, the great advantage to the angler being the long length of line
so
easily cast out
and
when
fishing
is
" fine
far off."
When Trout
take
early morning,
to Fish Minnow. the
minnow
best
in
the
and again towards evening.
Small or medium minnows are preferable in
clear waters,
waters.
an
answers
in
heavy
In waters clearing from a flood
artificial
use of
and the larger
silver
fairly well. artificial
or golden devon often
In fact,
baits
in
I
advise the
heavy coloured
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
74 waters
only,
have
trout
as
under be in
to
these
conditions
quarters
close
to
observe them.
To Obtain Minnows. To side,
in
flooded waters,
mesh landing-net
close to the
searching the easy or gentle-running
Then
water. solution
of
in the
them
preserve
in
a mild
in
way
Another
formalin.
minnows
obtaining
wade
minnows
collect
use a small
clear water
is
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
in
such a position
you stamp your ness they will
foot
that
dart into the net, which
should be raised almost instantly. is
in
a very good a
low
when
amongst the rough-
way
water,
able and enjoyable
of getting
This
minnows
and
a
way
of spending an
very
profit-
hour or two at the side while fishing at
a discount, and
you have the
is
satis-
MINNOW of
faction
own
your
always
FISHING.
75
knowing you have
procured
At the same time,
bait.
advisable
have
to
it
stock
a
is
of
minnows by you.
The minnow some
little
moreover, a very hand-
is,
Take one
fish.
and examine him
He
shape.
his
Mark
spring salmon. ing
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; every
brown,
shade
a miniature
like
his beautiful colour-
of
silver, pink,
will
notice of
particular just
is
your hand
and you
closely,
Take
admire him.
in
white,
olive,
pale
and rose harmoniously
blended and producing a most beautiful
The
mottled appearance.
best
select are the fat, clear-coloured,
baits
to
from ij
to 2 inches long.
The Loach. The ling
loach, loche, stone-loach, or ground-
is
lures
many
absolutely one of the most deadly
for
trout.
It
is
country anglers
Lodger."
It
delights
better
as in
"
known by
Tommy
the
cleair-running
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
7&
which
rivulets,
prefers to broad rivers;
it
during the daytime
keeps chiefly in the
it
shallow streams concealed under stones,
and can
easily be taken with a landing-
the strong, thin water, the same
net
in
way
as collecting creeper mentioned in a
The
previous chapter. larvae
loach feeds on the
of aquatic insects
worms
as
it
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
to
always accounts
for a
What
minnow, good
it
nearly
fish.
to Imitate.
In minnowing in large rivers or heavy waters, the secret of success
is
to try
imitate an injured or frightened therefore tinually, fish is at
the
it
is
and a
minnow;
unnecessary to spin conlikely
time for hooking a
the end of a spin or jerk,
minnow
is
and
when
almost stopping from
re-
MINNOW volving.
It
is
FISHING.
current,
but
struggling
form to draw the
bad
minnow up stream try
against
the
imitate
a
to
against
77
the
stream
strong
minnow and
en-
deavouring for shelter. If the
will be
spin bait
This
waters are very low and clear
it
advisable to cast up stream and
down and
across,
and weight the
according to the volume of water. is
best
accomplished,
if
using
an
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
is
where night fishing
months of June,
the
August
rivers
well practised
by
July,
and
anglers, where-
as during
the day-time they are almost
deserted.
During mid-summer
through the day
Even with
is
fly-fishing
almost at a standstill.
a nice ripple on
the water,
trout cannot be induced to rise
take
fly
On
the Eden, for example, the I
way
are attaining.
of hours
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
number
have seen nightly on this river
goes a long
is
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
to
sufficient fairly
is
it
79
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
is
in
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
to
the
frightened
easily
way
away.
Unlike
stream
fly-fishing, night fishing is usually
practised
the
down
on the water.
correct
stream, the
fly
of
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.
In
approaching a good swim, do not neglect to search the
wading.
water near to you before
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
8o
How Trout
Rise at Night.
Trout generally take the after sunset
have
it
—
— and
hooked.
is
jump once
before
very quickly
the rise of a fish
seen until he will
fly
same time meaning
at the
to
seldom
is
Frequently they
or twice out of the water
down
settling
to
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
it
annoying
is
fast
your
in
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
in
I
in
dash away, and
I
devote to this
fish,
When
tried
the while.
my I
net he
found, to
made
my
I
a final
regret, the
NIGHT FISHING.
8l
dropper-fly caught in the net, which taught
me
a lesson to dispense with the net for
night-fishing, especially
On
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
if
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
is
the water
an
miles
willows.
the slow running stream where is
not flowing more than two
hour
and
is
over-hung
with
Cast by the side and underneath
the willows, as this
is
very natural for
flies
dropping from them on to the water.
One with,
bustard
is
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.
If
you can-
not wade in without causing ripples, you
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
82
should wait patiently for a few minutes
when you have reached before casting.
move about
It
is
the desired spot
quite unnecessary to
do
that.
pools,
and
at night, as trout
The shallow ends
of
just
above stream-heads, are the choicest parts for trout feeding,
that
is
and a small stretch
all
is
required for an evening's fishing.
Maggot with the
fly,
"lordly" evening
is
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
a
first
little
sets in
while,
as the
flies,
and
the rise will
and
it
is
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
83
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
is
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
to
point of your rod and keep up.
Never
it
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
If
run,
it
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
close
into
the
shallow sides of pools; quarters should be care7
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
84
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
be
good and new season's
clear water
gut.
gut
fine natural
in
is
un-
doubtedly most suitable, but owing to the difficulty
XX,
X,
XXX,
xxxx
Should the angler it
is
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 "
He
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.
I
Various dyes
use an infusion of
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
86
strong tea, and steep the gut in
it
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)
in
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
it
as possible.
Making Up a Cast. In making up casts
soaked brittle.
it
needs to be well
warm water, otherwise it is Lay the ends of two strands side
in
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.
A
round the pull
Now draw them
line.
This
together.
" Fisherman's
87
tight
and
the well-known
is
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
A
good way
the cast
to
is
Flies.
to attach dropper flies
make
to
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
is
will, therefore,
looped with double stand out at right
angles
from the main
When
attached with single
gut the dropper
flies
cast.
become
A
FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.
8g
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
it
it
pulHng thus
tight;
c^4 forming a neat and strong fastening, and
one
of
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
at
the
same time
it
easily loosened, even in darkness.
is
little
quite
FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.
A
I.
— Creeper
gl
tackle tiad with an eyed hook.
c-~^
CZ
Creeper Baited. 2.
— Creeper
tackle on gut with different sized hooks.
c: 3.
rr
—Creeper stone-fly,
or grub tackle, impaling the larger
hook sideways through the body.
^ Worm 4.
— Single
Baited.
hook with needle-point used
— 5.
—
6.
— Stewart
Fennel tackle
for
worming.
cr~
for clear- water
worm.
tackle for clear-water worming.
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
92
7.
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.
A
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
is
composed
of
for
tail.
clear water
two double hooks
A
and a
lip
FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.
93
hook, arranged so as to give the
necessary curve to the
tail.
Natural Minnow Spinning Tackles. This
is
a modification of hooks arranged
on the Archer spinner to
my own
pattern,
Fig.
and
I
strongly
recommend
the best tackles of
its
to-day.
use as one of It
gives
a
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
94
brilliant spin to the bait,
hooking powers.
when as
fishing in
shown
in
A
triangle
also
it
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
A
This
is
TACKLE.
simply a pin with propellers, and
the flights arranged in a similar Fig.
I.
95
It
has a most natural
way
to
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
it
will
be seen that
it is
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
96
almost impossible to be seized by a trout without being hooked, yet nevertheless
Fig.
I
3.
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
is
doubtless a very artistic and exciting form of sport.
years
have been a disciple
now and experimented with
kinds of every
I
tackle,
confidence
for
different
and consequently in
some have
recommending the
aforementioned spinners in the order of merit named.
FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.
A
Drop Minnow Tackle,
referred to in Chapter on
Minnow
Another good
two
Fishing.
tackle
composed of
is
and one
treble-hooks
97
small
round
hook with a small
single
tapered
lead
attached.
To
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
A
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.
gs
The Landing Net.
A
landing net
rivers,
and
very essential for most
is
think,
I
is,
now almost
There are dozens of designs
versally used.
on the market, but
I
prefer
good-sized rim and knuckle
when not
uni-
in use
one with a
joints, so that
can be easily carried by
it
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.
if
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
of
ample length, but on
which have
fairly
open
rivers,
acquired a good volume, a
FEW HINTS ON TACKLE.
A
somewhat
larger
no case
in
weapon
is
99
desirable.
But
whatever should the length only
recommend
this latter length for a vigorous
man, where
exceed twelve
long casting
feet,
and
I
absolutely necessary.
is
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
A
possible.
little
it
dry, there-
about as
vaseline
little
as
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.
8
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
of
falls
any kind, or coming
in
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.
be
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
is
line-driers
good
wound
winder, they
wanted.
off
There
on the market that
investment.
may
it
the
reel
When
the
on to the
both be put away until
a
few hints on tackle.
loi
Waders. For ordinary very well.
trout-fishing stockings
do
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,
Do
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,
fishing,
does not require the same amount
of
skill to creel
it is
as
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
of
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
is
opinion, for fishing
one of eleven
moderately
light,
my
best rod, in
stiff,
be fished with either hand.
weapon
is
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
to
cast
when using a
I
little
recommend
feet long, as the
farther than
A
boat.
is
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
is
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
it
may
not catch on the rings of the rod while
being reeled
in.
The winch
is
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
in
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
of
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
is
it
any loch that has been
to
secure a basket of
On
his quarry.
the
quite easy to go little
fished
and
Such, however,
fish.
not the case, and large trout are not
is
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.
To
attain
study
fly
should
circumstances.
be
worked
in
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
if
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
it
best
is
below the surface
to sink the flies slightly
and work them sideways.
When As a general
" Strike."
to
rule in loch-fishing, trout
must not be struck too quickly; wait the pull are,
is
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
is
immebroken.
In loch-fishing, as opposed to river-fishing, trout
frequently rise
make
the
flies
often
for
movement
first
the
the
to
backward
in
cast.
as
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
is
In
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,
I
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
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
of
course under these
when angling
finer
the
is
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
it
behoves
the
angler
is
fish
to
I08
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
observe and keep a constant look out for
any is
moving.
fish
a fairly
If
breeze
stiff
blowing, causing small waves, the gleam
of trout
more
is
easily detected near the
surface of the water than the actual rise to the fly If this
itself.
not known, the boat should
is
be rowed very slowly and quietly against the wind
(if
great care as
little
the surface
is
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
or
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
in
the
the rise comes to an end. it
is
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.
It
is
weather to coax the
fish
otherwise the boat
is
drift
in
certain
over the line and foul the
many
shoals,
so
of our it
in
to
flies.
Shoals.
lochs trout travel in
thus
is
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
it
is
and a
gut to meet the extra strain.
fairly
advisable to little
stouter
no
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
is
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
it
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
it
is
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
is
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
it
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
is
are sucked down, the
merest tightening of the line
send the hook home.
It
is
sufficient to
must, therefore,
always be borne in mind that when using delicate tackle
it
is
quite unnecessary to
strike.
When
a
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
is
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,
in
is
I
this
of fishing on bright calm days, with
mode
a clear Italian sky and a surface on the
water
A
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.
i
or No.
2.
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
is
the wakes caused by the
should
boat
the
bait
a fish
is
be
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
to
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
c
x
pounders frequently prove victims. In rough water or with
wind blowing, a short yards
is
a
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
I
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
is
may
weather
showy
or
silver
be used to advantage.
calm or only a
slight ripple
If
on
the water, cast frequently; but, on the other
ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING.
Il8
hand,
a good breeze
if
should be allowed to
is
drift
blowing, the
flies
more.
Fishing from the Shore.
When quarters
angling
from
trout
for
near beds of reeds
may
If
are
shore
beneath
ideal trees,
weeds, or
or
and the various
boulders, etc.,
ployed
the
large
em-
lures
be fished close into the shore.
spinning a natural minnow, trout
quently chase
it
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
I
a
is
am
not personally in favour of this phase of the sport. days,
it
two of
However, on bright or stormy
sometimes accounts fish,
so
I
only
for a brace or
recommend worm
fishing as a last resource.
The
angler
is
required to cast a long line
LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. with
worm on
spot
is
a single hook; a desirable
where the worm can sink
water as
it
deepens quickly.
the line slowly, in shore.
IIQ
Should a
little
fish
to remain until you
in
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.
A
I/-
is
EDITION OF THIS included
Red"
Series.
in
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the " useful
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