TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



considerable skill cannot induce a trout to rise to a fly 

 when fishing a stream. 



Trout fly-fishing with the artificial fly embraces two 

 very unlike methods, and they are known as the wet-fly 

 method and the dry-fly method. 



The art, skill and success of both methods consist 

 in the ability of the angler to catch trout with light tackle 

 under ever-changing conditions, and the angler who is 

 a consistent performer is called a good and successful fly 

 fisherman. 



The wet-fly method has been in existence for cen- 

 turies, while the dry-fly method was born about the first 

 of the latter half of the nineteenth century. 



While it is true that the dry-fly method has been prac- 

 ticed in this country to a very limited extent for fifteen 

 years or more, it is only during the last five or six years 

 that the number of dry-fly fishermen has increased suf- 

 ficiently to bring this branch of fly-fishing into wider 

 notice. 



At the present time a few exponents of the method are 

 valiantly trying still further to increase their number 

 (using peculiar ways, to say the least) by persistently 

 abusing the wet-fly method as well as the wet-fly fishermen, 

 without showing much regard for the truth or facts. 



As illustrative of this attitude I quote from an article 

 which appeared during 1912 in one of our sporting maga- 

 zines, entitled "Caught with the Dry Fly." 



"If the angler wishes to be a true fly-fisherman, let him give up 

 such tactics" (wet-fly-fishing) "and cast the dry fly! 



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