100 NOTES FOR THE 



the comfortable little inn there are generally so 

 entirely of one craft, that a sort free-masonry 

 brings them into more intimate and frank inter- 

 course than is usually the case among strangers 

 and the day over, all, or most, meet to enjoy 

 their glass of wine, or grog, and cigar when 

 the subject discussed is so invariably the same, 

 in one aspect or another fly-fishing in general, 

 but especially at Tal-y-llyn that nowhere do you 

 hear so much fishing lore or fishing anecdote. 

 In particular, there are a few noted men, known 

 as masters of the science ; and from long expe- 

 rience of the lake, especially looked up to at 

 Tal-y-llyn ; whose style, and practice, and flies, 

 &c., &c., are all quoted and discussed, each one 

 having his admirers, who think every heavy 

 basket is made either by that particular system 

 or else by a chance which does not deserve it. 

 Very entertaining these discussions are ; and no 

 less so, that some let out their opinions very 

 charily, fully believing themselves in possession 

 of secrets which they are not at all willing to 

 make too common. The chief art, however, is 

 at Tal-y-llyn as elsewhere, particularly in clear 

 water no secret, but skill and science. To fish 

 fine and/a;- off, is what you may tell in so many 

 words ; but how many can do it ? At the same 

 time I must acknowledge a nicety and caprice 



