222 FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



number to work well, as presenting a greater variety to 

 the fickle notions of the many trout, and it is best to 

 take all the chances. 



The first dropper loop should be about thirty inches 

 from the stretcher, or tail-fly. Second dropper, twenty- 

 four inches above first dropper — depending somewhat 

 on the length of the leader. Let the flies be as far 

 apart as I have indicated. A greater distance is not 

 objectionable — a lesser is. 



Leaders should be tapered and made of the best qual- 

 ity of round gut. " Mist colored " or stained leaders are, 

 by many, thought to be better than the clear white gut ; 

 but I must say I never have been able to see that they 

 are, or that there is any difference, practically. There 

 is no great objection to the colored leaders, and I use 

 them myself usually. I will not undertake to settle 

 the much-discussed question. Either plain or colored 

 are good enough, if properly made and from good gut. 



Always let your leader lie in the w r ater awhile before 

 commencing to cast, that the gut may soften — or you 

 may lose your leader, fish and temper, and blame some 

 one because you think you have been cheated, when no 

 one was in fault but yourself in your haste. When 

 you have finished fishing, wind your leader around your 

 hat, and the next time you use it it will not look like a 

 cork-screw, and bother you half an hour in casting. 



To one who has not acquired the art of fishing with 

 the fly, let me suggest that a day or two with an expert 

 will save much time and trouble. There are many 



