24 ANGLING. 



may soon render themselves respectable fly-fishers by paying a little 

 attention to it, by going a few times with a person who is himself 

 acquainted with the art. We have taught three or four gentlemen 

 the amusement who had never before thrown a single fly into the 

 water, and they were, in point of age, full fifty, or even more. The 

 chief matter is the desire to learn. Where this exists in any great 

 vigour, and proper means be adopted, success becomes almost 

 certain. 



The two leading points connected with fty-fishing for salmon and 

 trout are the casting of the flies, and the acquirement of that peculiar 

 knowledge or tact which enables the skilful angler to recognise, 

 at a glance, those parts of a river or stream where such kinds of fish 

 are likely to lie during particular parts of the day or season. 



One of the first maxims a learner should fix in his mind is, not to 

 have too long a line. He should not attempt too much at once. 

 To acquire the steady and efficient command of the rod is a vital 

 matter. To throw long lines steadily and lightly is an art which 

 can only be acquired by considerable practice and observation; 

 therefore, a learner should never feel discouraged should his pro- 

 gress in this angling accomplishment not keep pace with his san- 

 guine expectations. A cast line, with gut and flies, should be just 

 the length of the rod, and no longer ; and all first efforts in the 

 art should be confined to the employment of a very few yards 

 more in making casts upon the water ; and as the pupil progresses 

 in adroitness and ski]!, he can, of course, lengthen his line 

 accordingly. 



There is a great comfort and convenience connected with the 

 use of a single-handed fly-rod. In small rivers, particularly if the 

 banks are lined with brushwood, and the water is reedy, and the 

 bottom full of roots of trees, &c., the angler should learn the habit 

 of what may be called "chucking" his fly into those parts of the 

 stream which run under bushes, and form strong ripples and cur- 

 rents beneath overhanging boughs. In such situations, the trout 

 are generally numerous, and of the first size and quality. We 

 have seen many good two-handed fly-fishers who lost ranges of the 

 finest water on account of not being able to fish narrow and 

 woody streams. In rivers which run through a bed scooped out 

 by mountain torrents, two or three times as broad as the quantity; 

 of water which they commonly supply, the fly-fisher has plenty of 

 elbow-room, and can use a long rod and line, which require both 

 hands, with good effect ; but in smaller waters, such as those just 

 described, there is nothing like a single-handed rod ; it gives you 

 greater power over the stream, and enables you, as it were, to pick 

 fish out of places that the double-handed artist must invariably 

 pass by. 



To measure distances by the eye with accuracy, is an essential 

 part of the fly-fisher's profession. This can only be acquired by 

 close attention to the subject, and constant practice. No written 

 or verbal rules of direction can possibly reach it ; and yet any 



