The Fishing of Waters with the Wet Fly 61 



the fly-fisher. Gusts of wind from time to 

 time, however, shook out showers of small 

 flies from the foliage, and these got rapidly 

 carried down into this deep but narrow pool. 



The trout were always on the look-out, 

 ever waiting in one or other of the eddies, 

 and even in the rough water itself, for their 

 expected manna. I took in the situation 

 at a glance, and saw that my chance had 

 come, if I could but use it skilfully. Letting 

 out a little line, and remembering that I 

 had trees in dangerous proximity close 

 behind me, I switched the line right into 

 the wind's eye. In the neck of the stream 

 a trout showed, and was promptly hooked. 

 Gently but firmly I drew that trout towards 

 my landing net, from which I transferred 

 him to my basket. There was no fuss ; and 

 let me remark that if one only keeps still, 

 and above all, if one avoids standing up, 

 the shyest trout will recommence rising, 

 and at no great distance from the fisher- 

 man ; especially if the angler (as I presume 

 he does) places himself below his quarry, 

 and throws up to him. 



Yes, I can still recall with the greatest 

 delight, the hours I spent sitting on that 

 gravel-bed, with my legs (in wading stock- 

 ings) pendant in the water. Now and then 



