ANGLING FOB TROUT. 75 



Fly-angling for Trout. 



The usual way in fly-fishing is to have one fly on 

 the end of the line, termed a stretcher, and one or 

 more, termed droppers, hanging from the line behind 

 the stretcher by a length of link sufficient to let them 

 just tip the water when the line is a little raised and 

 drawn along. 



As considerable art is required in throwing the line, 

 so as to make the flies fall lightly on the water, and 

 not scare the fish, I would recommend a beginner to 

 observe some good fly-fisher, and then practise as 

 nearly as he can, after him, at first in a purling stream 

 or rapid current, till he can cast dexterously in stiller 

 water. It is useful, also, to commence with a short 

 line, increasing it by degrees, for it is impossible for a 

 beginner to throw eighteen yards at first, and he can- 

 not consider himself out of his apprenticeship till he 

 can throw twelve or fifteen yards without cracking off 

 his flies or entangling his tackle. 



" In casting your line and flies," says Carroll, C( ob- 

 serve to make a semicircle with your rod, in order to 

 avoid snapping your flies, and after you have made 

 your cast, raise the point of your rod to prevent too 

 much of your line from falling into the water ; properly 

 no more should fall than what your flies are attached to. 

 Manage so as to let your flies drop lightly on the water, 

 which, with a little well directed practice, you will soon 

 attain. Begin to fish at the head of a stream, and use 

 caution, for there generally the best game lies, parti- 

 cularly when there are flies coming down the river. 



