186 FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



not depend so much upon the kind of flies as the skill 

 in casting, and a poor fly lightly cast into the right 

 spot will do better execution than the best fly roughly 

 cast into the wrong place. The lure must be put 

 where the fish habit, often before their very noses, or 

 they will not take it ; and when they lie, as they gen- 

 erally do in running streams, in the deep holes under 

 the banks, where the bushes are closest and cause the 

 densest shade, it requires some skill to cast properly 

 into the exact spot. Sacrifice everything to lightness 

 in casting ; let the line go straight without a kink if 

 you can, drop the fly into the right ripple if possible, 

 but it must drop gently on the surface of the water. 

 An ugly splash of a clear day in pure water, and the 

 prey will dart in every direction, and the angler's hopes 

 scatter with them. 



A beginner may practice a certain formula, such as 

 lifting the line with a wave and smart spring, swinging 

 it backward in a half circle, and when it is directly be- 

 hind him, casting straight forward ; but as soon as he 

 has overcome the rudimentary principles, he should cast 

 in every manner, making the tip of his rod cut full cir- 

 cles, figure eights, and all other figures, behind him, 

 according to the wind ; bearing in mind, however, ever 

 to make his fly drop as lightly as a feather. He should 

 use his wrist mainly, and practice with each hand, and 

 should never be otherwise than ashamed of a bungling 

 cast, though he be alone, and none but the fish there to 

 despise him. If the line falls the first time with a heart- 



