60 THE WONDERFUL TROUT 



or along the same line. This cannot be 

 avoided if you are fishing the first cast or 

 so straight up stream. The pace at which 

 considerable reaches of water can be accu- 

 rately covered thus by two or three flies, 

 according to the size of the river, depends 

 upon the amount of knowledge and experi- 

 ence of the best lies of the fish, and in 

 the activity, endurance, youth, and prompt 

 manipulation of the angler. It should be 

 remembered that to cover the largest 

 number of rising fish and pick out the 

 best ones, thoroughly and scientifically, 

 especially when they are taking free, the 

 casting and getting over the water should 

 be as rapid as possible. The above remarks 

 apply particularly to the lower stages of the 

 water, say 0. 0. 0. O 2 . of scale (q.v. p. 169), but 

 the same method may be employed, and the 

 same care taken, when the river is in a more 

 flushed condition, up to, say, (medium) 

 and amber colour, though in these higher 

 conditions it may not be so necessary for 

 success. As to the time of year, that is 

 immaterial in such practice, but always if 

 the river is low and clear or crystal. We 



