WET OR SUNK FLY-FISHING. 1 1 



even one of moderate size, if slightly flooded, 

 entails very much greater labour ; and the direc- 

 tion of the wind often makes up-stream fishing 

 impossible. Having thus given briefly some of 

 the pros and cons on this vexed question, we 

 shall at present content ourselves with saying 

 that in our opinion the best plan is to adopt a judi- 

 cious combination of the two methods of fishing. 



STRIKING. When a rise is seen or felt the 

 trout ought in up-stream fishing to be struck at 

 once. This is done by a simple motion of the 

 wrist, which must be both instantaneous and 

 gentle. No habit is more easily acquired, and 

 more dangerous, than that of violent striking, 

 and every angler should endeavour to keep his 

 nerves well under control, and so learn to avoid 

 the startled jerk which so often leads to the loss 

 of a sonsy trout. In down-stream fishing the 

 weight of the fish itself, aided by the current, is 

 sufficient to drive the hook home, and all that is 

 required is a slight tightening of the line. In 

 many cases, however, even this will be found un- 

 necessary. A heavy trout will often take the fly 

 without breaking the surface, and be firmly hooked 

 at the same moment its presence is felt by the 

 angler. 



We think that as a general rule it is better to 

 keep a finger on the line while fishing. When 

 this is done, a gentle pull at the fly is more 



