14 INTRODUCTION. 



earth and water, at times and seasons when 

 the mighty inhabitants of earth have hitherto 

 been obliged to admit the petty dwellers in 

 the stream to be their superiors in intelligence. 



This, too, can be done in a sportsmanlike 

 and artistical manner ; for, although fly-fishing 

 deservedly occupies the highest place in the 

 Fisherman's Calendar, yet are there other 

 branches, without an acquaintance with which 

 the fly-fisher would lose many a day's sport ; 

 sport which requires quite as fine tackle and 

 quite as much skill as the most adroit user 

 of the fly must exercise, if he intend that 

 success shall wait on endeavour. 



For him who sat cosily by the side of the 

 river watching his float, all unconscious that a 

 swallow had perched on the end of his rod, and 

 was there quietly making its toilet — for him 

 and his followers, I write not. The Author's 

 intention is to instruct the uninitiated reader 

 in those things which relate principally to the 

 fabrication and use of flies and artificial baits, 

 surpassed by none in their killing propensities, 

 and some of them hitherto unequalled. The 



