78 LAKE AND STREAM GAME FISHING 



was taking at any one time. But he did know and 

 realize that the bass is a wise old bird and that you 

 have to go at him on the gumshoe order if you expect 

 to land him on a fly. 



BETTER TO FISH DOWNSTREAM 



On a stream it is preferable to fish downstream, 

 as the bass lie with the head upstream, and with the 

 current carrying your fly on its natural course the 

 bass have more chance to see it and thus become a 

 possible candidate for the creel. Then again, it is 

 far easier to wade downstream than it is to go up. 



For dark days and early evening use light-colored 

 flies, and for the bright days the darker flies. 

 Smaller flies of a subdued color tied on a No. 6 or 7 

 hook is right for low, clear water on a bright day, 

 while for after sunset and moonlight casting the gray, 

 white and brown flies tied on a larger hook, a No. 

 2 or 4 size, are more likely to attract the fish than 

 the smaller ones. For rough and turbid water the 

 brightly colored feathers are best. In selecting your 

 flies don't overlook the black, brown and gray 

 hackles; you will often find that the old reliable 

 hackles will bring a rise after you have tried every 

 other combination in your fly book. 



THE FLIES YOU USE 



Nearly every fellow that whips the light fly rod 

 has his own particular selection of flies, and by these 



