SUGGESTIONS. 223 



little tilings that cannot well be described, and would 

 take a long time to find out by experience, that can be 

 learned very quickly when seen. It is not easy to tell 

 one exactly how to fish with the fly. 



I remember well my first trout ; I remember as well, 

 the first fine rod and tackle I ever saw, and the genial 

 old gentleman who handled them. I had thought I 

 knew how to fish with the fly ; but when I saw my old 

 friend step into the stream and make a cast, I just 

 wound that line of mine around the "pole" I had 

 supposed was about right, and I followed an artist. (I 

 never used that "pole" again.) I devoted my time 

 that afternoon to what to me was a revelation, and the 

 quiet, cordial way in which the old gentleman accepted 

 my admiration, and the pleasure he evidently took in 

 lending to me a rod until I could get one, is one of the 

 pleasant things I shall always retain in memory. 



To really enjoy fly-fishing one must be able to cast at 

 least fairly well ; to cast a very long line is not at all 

 important — to cast easily and gently is. Fifty to sixty 

 feet is all that is necessary for practical purposes, the 

 great majority of trout are taken within forty feet. 



It is not easy to tell one how to cast. The art must 

 be acquired by practice. As I have said, much can be 

 learned by observing an expert. There is one great 

 mistake made by most beginners ; i. e., far too much 

 strength is used. Let me suggest to the novice to 

 begin with the line about the length of the rod ; learn 

 to lay that out gently, and as you take your flies off the 



