46 TREATISE ON FLY-FISHING, 



your presence consequently is less likely to be 

 observed by the fish than if a contrary position 

 were adopted. Let me urge the great importance 

 of keeping out of sight of your prey as much as 

 possible. If the banks are high and open, crouch 

 down, and if needs be, creep on, as you would 

 if a duck and mallard were the object of your 

 pursuit, until you find you can command the 

 pool in your prostrate position. If bushes 

 intervene, of course you may approach with bold- 

 ness : less caution is also needed when the 

 banks are nearly even with the surface of the 

 water. 



As a general rule, I am in favour of fishing up 

 the stream for trout ; the heads of the fish being 

 alwa} r s against the current, their eyes are pointed 

 in the same direction, looking for flies, c,, which 

 may be floating down on the surface; your 

 approach therefore is not so readily perceived, 

 and your fly when taken is pulled against the jaw, 

 and not from it as is often the case w r hen fishing 



