THE NATURAL FLY. 31 



and that he suffered Httle at the moment, and 

 does not now feel his annoyance. 



PoiET. — I have seen him take four or five 

 flies : I shall throw over him. There, he 

 rose, but refused the fly. He has at least 

 learnt, from the experiment he has made, to 

 distinguish the natural from the artificial fly. 



Hal. — This, I think, ahvays happens after 

 a fish has been hooked with an artificial fly. 

 He becomes cautious, and is seldom caught 

 that year, at least with the same means in the 

 same pool : but I dare say that fish might be 

 taken with a natural fly, or, what is better, 

 two upon the hook. 



PojET. — Pray try him. 



Hal. — I am no artist at this kind of an- 

 gling, but Ornither I know has fished in June 

 with the clubs at Stockbridge, where this 

 method of fishing is usual. Pray let him try 

 his fortune, though it is hardly fair play ; and 

 it is rather to endeavour to recover your 

 tackle, than for the sake of the fish, that I 

 encourage him to make the essay. 



PoiET. — Pray make no apologies for the 

 trial. Such a fish — certainly a monster for 



