104 FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



and by I found a lovely-looking reef which extended 

 from the shore to deep water. This reef or ledge was 

 broad and smooth on one side, but the other dipped 

 down sharply, and presented a rough, jagged, and cav- 

 ernous face. Here, if anywhere, I judged fontinalis 

 would be sure to lurk ; so I anchored within twenty 

 feet of the precipitous edge of the reef, with water ap- 

 parently about ten feet deep under the boat, but of pro- 

 found depth a few yards from the ledge. At that time 

 I had no split bamboo rod, a fact which I have ever 

 since regretted, but I had an excellent ash and lance- 

 wood, which had killed myriads of fish, and is still to 

 the fore. I never was and never will be a skilful fly- 

 fisherman, or perhaps I should say — as too much mod- 

 esty savors of affectation — a skilful fty-caster. 



That is I never could, nor can I yet, make an effect- 

 ive and proper cast of over forty-two feet from reel to 

 fly. I have always found, however, that I take as 

 many fish as those artistic anglers who can cast more 

 than double that distance. On this occasion I tried a 

 white miller as tail fly, and a common gray hackle as 

 dropper, and they succeeded so well that I only there- 

 after changed them as a matter of experiment. I never 

 at any time during this trip used more than two flies 

 at once, as that number gave me quite enough to do. 



"Well, this morning of which I am now writing, was 

 one to make glad the heart of an angler. A southwest 

 wind blew softly, and the sun was obscured by warm 

 gray clouds. No fish of any decency or self-respect 



