NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 183 



which if not attainable, then search out some 

 other natural fly, and dibble be sure lightly on 

 the surface of the deeps, you raise him beyond 

 dispute, and as certainly kill him ; for this na- 

 tural novel has no compeer, and the artificial is 

 but the representation. Where note, the green 

 drack pleads the precedency, then the gray ; the 

 former from the issue or product of a codworm ; 

 but the latter as to observation proceeds from 

 the straw-bait. 



Theoph. A very significant and proper dis- 

 tinction. 



Am. Now, besides close order, great curiosity 

 is requisite in tackle ; for the more accurate the 

 artist is, by so much the more will the art be 

 express'd. For that end, let your rod be shap'd 

 like a rush, the line exactly tapered ; your hooks 

 well tempered, and as well compassed ; not too 

 stiff, nor yet too pliant ; their points well drawn 

 out, and as sharp as needles, but their birbs as 

 stiff and as strunt as bristles ; the wing of your 

 fly also well flourished, and well pinion'd ; and 

 so snug as to carry the point always downward. 

 These are necessary observations in trout-fish- 

 ing, more especially to the contemplative and 

 ingenious artist, rather than to those paper- 

 scull'd buffoons, devoid of reason, and as indi- 

 gent of patience, as the man that hang'd him- 

 self, because the hangman was not ready ; that 



