A PRINCIPLE ILLUSTRATED. 131 



But supposing this to be otherwise, supposing 

 even the angler to be expert, and to have a good 

 imitation of the fly at which the fish are rising 

 well, say a fly of the dun tribe, prevalent on 

 every water. He makes his casts admirably. 

 In the gentle stickle which hugs the opposite 

 bank, a line of trout are rising gloriously ; but 

 not one of them is attracted by his well-presented 

 lure. He throws, and throws, and throws again, 

 but still with the same result. He is at a loss 

 to account for the cause, except that it must 

 evidently be something or other wrong in his fly. 

 No such thing. We admit the fly to be a good 

 imitation, to be nicely cast over rising fish, re- 

 peatedly, time after time, and yet with not a rise 

 is poor Piscator favoured. Well, how is this? 

 Piscator does not see he is so wrapped up in the 

 make of his fly that something more than make 

 is necessary; that under certain circumstances 

 an imitation of the action of the natural fly is 

 indispensable, and that when that action is not 

 supplied, as in the present case, success cannot be 

 had. But Piscator should reflect, and the seem- 

 ing "mystery would be unfolded thus : The 

 fish are feeding, as they delight to do, upon 

 flies ephemeral, and have, perhaps, as the season is 

 advanced, become somewhat fastidious in their 

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