112 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



mohair; legs red hackle; wings a feather of the land- 

 rail or starling's wing. Hook, Nos. 8 or 9. 



Having now mentioned the principal matters relative 

 to the artificial fly, we must venture a few remarks, for 

 the benefit of our younger brethren of the craft, on the 

 proper mode of using it. 



The two leading points connected with this depart- 

 ment are the casting of the flies, and the acquirement of 

 that peculiar knowledge which enables the skilful angler 

 to recognise at a glance those parts of the stream where 

 trout are likely to lie during the fly-fishing season. 



The first maxim a beginner should attend to, is, 

 not to have his line too long. He should not attempt 

 too much at first. To acquire the steady and efficient 

 command of his rod is a great matter. The cast line, 

 with gut and flies, ought to be just the length of the rod 

 and no longer; and the early efforts of the beginner 

 should be confined to the employment of a very few yards 

 more in making his casts ; as he progresses in adroitness 

 and skill, he can of course lengthen his line accordingly. 



There is great comfort and convenience connected 

 with the use of a single-handed rod. In small rivers, 

 particularly if the banks are lined with brush-wood, and 

 the water is reedy, and the bottom full of roots of trees, 

 etc., 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 

 currents 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 



