114 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME. 



Tourist : Something like blotting paper ? 



Angler: Yes, only with greater powers of absorption than any 

 blotting paper that was ever made. 



NoAv then, here is a fish you must get. There is just enough stream 

 to ruffle the surface a bit, but it is a steady stream so that you can 

 cast a straight line and not have any reason to expect a drag. 



Tourist: What is a 'drag'? 



Angler: A 'drag' is that which results from the line moving faster or 

 slower than the fly. If a line is cast in such a way as to make the 

 fly draw or pull against the current and thus leave a wake behind it, 

 the fly is said to 'drag.' I dare say, you have observed that real 

 flies and other insects hardly ever do this. A wary trout might just 

 be on the point of taking a fly, but if the fly suddenly began to move 

 across the surface leaving a track behind it, the suspicions of the 

 flsli would be aroused and in all probability he would have none of 

 your fly. However, this fish is easy of access and there is not much 

 danger of drag. Make your fly fall on the water about two feet above 

 the spot where he took down the last 'hopper! Above all, when he 

 takes the fly strike him gently, as though you loved him. Now go to it. 



Tourist : That seems a good cast but the fish is taking no notice of 

 the fly. 



Angler: Wait a few moments before you cast again; if you are not 

 in a great hurry wait until he has taken another real 'hopper. 



Tourist: There, he took that one. I'll try him with the fly again. 



Angler : Good cant. Keep your eye on the fly. Oh, he has it ! Well 

 done — you have hooked him. 



Take your time. Don't get flurried, I will land him when you bring 

 him in. 



Tourist : He seems tired out, so make ready. Now, I 'm going to pull 

 him in toward you. 



Angler : Well, well, that is certainly a nice fish — two and a quarter 

 pounds — and the first you ever caught on a dry-fly. 



Tourist : I shall have something to tell the rest of the party when 1 



meet them tonight. 



** ***#*# 



Angler: It is only two o'clock, and the machine won't show up for 

 another half hour. We have caught as many fish as the law permits, not 

 large in numbers, but a full ten pounds; so while we are waiting for 

 the machine I will give you a few more pointers. 



As I have explained, the grasshopper fly, which we were using, floats 

 on its side very much as the real insect does. 



Water bred flies, on which trout feed, float on the surface with their 

 wings up in the air. I will now put on an olive dun; we need not 

 expect any fish to look at it, because they are far too much taken up 

 with the grasshoppers at present. 



Now, will you go up stream about forty feet and kneel down and 

 watch the water closely? 



Tourist : How will this do ? 



Angler: That is just about right. Now watch the surface; I will 

 drop the fly about three feet from the bank. When you see the fly on 

 the water tell me if you notice anything at all about it. 



