46 THE GRASSHOPPER, 



precisely the same duty as the living worm. If 

 you rib this with yellowish straw-colored silk, 

 you will have the Brandling, reputed to be the 

 best worm used. 



Though Fly-fishing is certainly the most 

 elegant part, and a productive one too, of 

 the angler's art, yet is it often annoying 

 enough to go forth on an expedition, and not 

 find a single fin inclined to raise the body 

 whereto it belongs half-a-foot from the bottom 

 of the river. In this case, the baits of Plate III. 

 are eminently serviceable. And even when 

 fish are rising, a well-filled basket often rewards 

 him who uses them. 



To the lovers of Fly-fishing, and I confess 

 myself to be one of them, other kinds may seem 

 coarse or stupid. I have already endeavoured 

 to show the reader that Minnow-fishing is 

 neither the one nor the other; and if he will 

 have patience, perhaps he may find it the same 

 with other devices. At any rate, I will lay 

 before him nothing but truths ; and should he 

 then find artificial Grub-fishing either coarse or 

 stupid, I can only say — 



