EARLY BURN FISHING 39 



water will have to be warmed by a week or two's 

 sunshine, to give them wings. 



Let no one suppose that fly-fishing in a burn is 

 boy's sport ; if it be, then it is the sport of boys 

 who are afterwards to become experts. It is a 

 school in which all ought to begin. True, it admits 

 of a light rod, and a short line, and that is a 

 consideration to the immature. But the absence 

 of straight runs, the erratic course, the sudden 

 bends, the narrowness, and the bushes and grasses 

 on either side demand a precision uncalled for in 

 opener waters. The delicacy needed for such work 

 once acquired, the strength for wielding a heavier 

 rod, casting a longer line, and lighting the flies 

 like gossamer on stiller water will come after. 

 Besides, one learns the elementary lessons, that, 

 however noisy the stream may be, he must not tread 

 too heavily on the bank ; and, however broken the 

 surface, he must never have the sun behind him. 



It is the whole that charms. Scene, and circum- 

 stance find their way in, and, blending there, 

 become a lifelong possession. The birds of the 

 burn are characteristic. 



The wagtails are back. They have never really 

 been away ; at least not all away. It is the grey 

 species that haunts the stream-sides, and, seeing 



