2SS THE ANGLER S GUIDE. 



should recommend before he casts his bait on the wa- 

 ter. While so practising, it is better to break away 

 the point and barb of the hook, to prevent its laying 

 hold of grass, weeds, or any thing that may be in the 

 way, which would either break the line, or prevent the 

 fly being thrown with any precision. 



Lines 



are manufactured of hair, &c. wove, spun, twisted, 

 mixed, and platted, of various lengths and strengths, 

 purposely for fly-fishing ; some exceedingly fine and 

 long, tapering gradually to the end ; and some, after 

 ten yards, again taper, and to almost any length ; a 

 line should not be less than thirty yards. A yard or 

 two of fine gut, to which the hooks are fastened, is 

 added to the line, and called the bottom. To the end 

 of this bottom, is fastened the fly ; and, sometimes, at 

 certain distances (above) two more ; in which case, 

 the fly at the bottom is termed the stretcher, the 

 others droppers. The learner should, by no means, 

 attempt to fish with more than one fly on at a time. 

 When fly-fishing, use as light a winch as you can, but 

 always prefer the multiplying one. 



Whipping, Casting, or Throwing the Line and Bait. 



With pliant rod, upon the pebbled brook. 

 Learn skilfully to cast the feathered hook. 



In casting or throwing a fly, while yet a novice, ob- 

 serve the following rules : having fixed the winch on 

 the butt of your rod, draw the line through all the rings 



