FLY FISHING 



before the presence of natural flies the trout do 

 little rising. 



I know several deep pools overhung v^ith 

 alder bushes. One may cast direct into these 

 pools by the hour, and skill will count for noth- 

 ing. But make a cast so that the flies will catch 

 lightly upon the bushes, let them rest for a 

 moment, and then jerk the line gently so that 

 the flies will fall from the bushes into the 

 water, and a trout is a certainty. Why ? Sim- 

 ply because the trout lie under those bushes 

 waiting for insects to fall from them in a nat- 

 ural way. Any other method makes them 

 suspicious. 



I have known the back belly fins of a trout 

 to take fish when every other bait, artificial or 

 otherwise, failed, and a trout's eye is sometimes 

 effective. Early in the spring, just plain salt pork 

 danced up and down on the water will often 

 call forth the big ones ; but the sportsman will 

 never resort to these methods unless the larder 

 positively demands it. 



I do not believe in record catches. Seven 

 trout is the largest number I have ever killed 

 at one time, in spite of repeated opportunities 

 to kill a hundred or more. Fish enough for my 

 personal needs is my motto. I never catch fish 



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