RULES FOR TROUT-FISHING. 45 



Take out two or three gut bottoms ready made*, 

 that you may speedily remedy an accident ; for 

 when fish are in the humour, no time is to be lost, 

 especially at the commencement of the season. 



Examine frequently the knots of your gut, more 

 particularly that part close to the head of the fly ; 

 look also to the hook r s. point, should you lose a fish 

 or two. 



A small pocket-book or tin box, containing a 

 dozen flies, selected from such as are in season, 

 will be quite sufficient for a day's fishing. Of 

 these six should be smaller than the rest, that you 

 may alter the size agreeably to the fulness of the 

 water, or the state of the weather. If you make 

 any while out, catch the natural fly, and, seated on 

 your basket in some sheltered corner, try your skill, 

 remembering to make the artificial body rather 

 under the colour of the natural insect ; viz., yellows 

 less bright ; dark flies, a little lighter ; and pay strict 

 attention to what shade your feather carries in the 

 water, some appearing lighter when wetted, others 

 much darker. Always take a few of the real flies 

 home to be copied during unfavourable weather : 

 you will find them in the eddies and in the froth. 



The length and strength of rod must, of course, 

 be proportioned to the size of the fish you may 

 expect, and the width of the water on which you 

 sport. A stiffer rod is to be preferred, as enabling 

 the angler to throw with more exactness ; it is also 



* Procure a hank of gut ; select a sufficient number of 

 lengths for the purpose, and simply tie them together with 

 water knots ; cut off the ends close j but use no whipping. 



