22 TKOUT-FISHING FOR THE BEGINNER 



3. Downstream fishing. 

 Although in slow and medium water, 

 upstream casting should be followed ; in 

 rough, fast water, the downstream method 

 often pays better. We have already seen 

 how a slight additional volume of water in 

 a stream appears to limit the trout's vision, 

 and so makes them approachable ; the same 

 thing applies to the rapids. There appar- 

 ently trout do not rise at insects as they do 

 in quieter portions of the river, for unless a 

 fly appears practically right in front or over 

 them, they ignore it. The fish in the strong 

 water are usually well fed, large and in good 

 condition, their food supply being taken 

 from the river-bed or very near it. There 

 are, of course, many insects on and about 

 the rapids, but the fish seem disinclined to 

 go out of their way to take them, owing 

 chiefly, I think, to the fact that their vision 

 is to some extent obscured by the flow. It 

 is difficult when casting up in very rough 

 water to make the flies come down in a 

 natural manner owing to the speed of the 

 current, and the lures often become entangled 

 with the main cast a second or so after 

 alighting. This is likely to alarm the trout, 

 whereas by casting across and down, any 

 drag on the flies is unnoticed in the turbu- 



