TROUT FISHING. 165 



well, rather for the fly to become for a moment sus- 

 pended across the wind, than directly down the 

 wind ; as it then falls still lighter, and, from this 

 circumstance, is, of course, more likely to deceive a 

 large fish. Prefer dropping the fly just under a 

 bush or hedge, or in an eddy, to the open river, be- 

 cause your line is then more obscured from the light, 

 and the largest fish generally monopolise the pos- 

 session of such places, in order to find, and devour, 

 the more flies and insects : and, also, to be near their 

 places of security. If the spot is quite calm, watch 

 the first good fish that rises, avail yourself imme- 

 diately of the ripple that has been made by the fish 

 himself; and drop in your fly a little above where he 

 last rose. Never let your line lie too long, as by so 

 doing you cither expose your tackle to the fish by 

 leaving it stationary, or draw the line in so close, that 

 you lose both the power of striking your fish, if he 

 rises, and that of getting a good sweep for your next 

 throw. The first fall of the fly, in fishing, is like 

 t\\e first sight of a bird m presenting a gun always 

 the I test. 



KILLING YOUII FISH. A small fish is, of course, 

 not even worth the wear and tear of a reel. But, if 

 you happen to hook a good one, wind up immediately; 

 and the moment you have got him under command 

 of a short line, hold your rod well on the bend, with 

 just purchase enough to keep him from going under 

 a weed, or rubbing out your hook by boring his nose 

 into the gravel. (Observe a fish, and you will 



