274 



pressible lightness, which shall place the fly on the water, 

 as "It were, imperceptibly. 



Perhaps I may be mistaken, when I think it easy to 

 define such a progressive motion of the arm, as will prin- 

 cipally produce the above effect 5 I shall, however, at- 

 tempt it, and trust, that in the event of my not equalling 

 my own wishes, or the expectations of the learner, I 

 shall at least evince the earnestness of my intention to give 

 him every aid in my power. 



The rod should be well balanced in the right hancf, so 

 as to feel light and obedient j if it fails hi this, when 

 handled about a foot or fifteen inches from the butt, it is 

 faulty, and is probably too light under the hand. 



This may be very easily remedied, by taking oft' the 

 brass ferril, and after boring a hole with a large gimblet 

 for about two inches in depth, filling it with a leaden plug, 

 made to fit in tight. There must be more or less lead, 

 according as the balance is improperly situated : \vhea 

 duly corrected, let the ferril be replaced firmly. 



In the first instance, practise, with a very light fly, at 

 the end of a line made chiefly of single gut for at least six 

 feet from the hook > after that, you may loop on a hair 

 line (if wove, all the better), beginning with three hairs, 

 and growing gradually thicker, as it approaches the tip G 

 the rod. 



The whole length, from the hook to the tip, should 

 be exactly the length of your rod f or r or least, should 

 by no means exceed it. I cannot too forcibly recommend 

 attention to this primary point, for it is one of the most 

 essential in the rudiments of the art. 



Take hold of the bend of the hook between the fore* 

 finger and thumb of your kft hand, holding the rod in 



your 



