ANGLING ON THE BORDERS. 27 



When we say it is the simplest and the easiest method 

 of angling, however, we mean only that by it almost 

 any angler can capture an occasional trout ; we are 

 very far from saying that it is that in which profi- 

 ciency is most readily attained, or in which there is 

 little room for the exercise of skill. On the contrary, 

 to make fly-fishing really productive requires the union 

 of all the angler's highest qualities. Knowledge of the 

 habits of the fish, quickness of eye, dexterity of hand, 

 the most unwearying perseverance against difficulties 

 — these are all combined in the man who, as in the 

 case of some border anglers, would make the river 

 yield him as much daily as could be converted into 

 daily bread for a family. As we fancy most of our 

 readers are already acquainted to some extent with 

 the principles or practice of angling — and as we deem 

 it utterly hopeless, by means of a book, to attempt to 

 teach a man to fish who has no previous knowledge of 

 the art — we shall, in treating of fly-fishing, do little 

 more than notice some most important improvements 

 in it that have been lately promulgated by Mr. 

 Stewart.* The old method of fly-fishing, in its highest 

 form, was " fine and far-off" casting across the stream, 

 and letting the flies float down below where the angler 

 stood. Many an overflowing basket has been filled in 

 this way, when circumstances were favourable, or in 

 cases where individual expertness overcame what are 

 undoubted disadvantages in the method. But rivers 

 ran more favourably for fiy-fishing long ago, before 

 the lands which feed them were so much drained ; and 



* " The Practical Angler; or the Art of Trout-Fishing, more 

 particularly applied to Clear Water." By W. C. Stewart. 

 Edinburgh : A. & C. Black. 



