72 THE FISHING-ROD ; 



his artificial fly to the natural one, but rather 

 on his discretion .in the form and colours 

 best calculated to attract the fish he whips for. 



The young angler should commence by using 

 a small light rod for throwing the fly, and 

 he should accustom himself to use either hand ; 

 by which means he will be able to throw under 

 all difficulties of wind and situation ; and 

 with less fatigue than if used to throw with 

 one hand only. He should use a taper line, 

 which in the hands of a novice is far more 

 manageable than one of uniform substance 

 throughout. 



After practising with a short taper line, he 

 should gradually increase the length ; and keep 

 constantly trying his skill until he can throw 

 a fly with a long line, to a few inches of the 

 spot at which he wishes it to drop. 



When the tyro has sufficient command over 

 the rod and line to throw across a wide stream 

 with skill and precision, he may be said to 

 have mastered the most difficult branch of 

 the art. 



A quick eye and simultaneous action of the 

 hand, are also highly essential qualifications 

 in the fly-fisher. Captain Williamson, in his 



