tapi'iing' down to the finest drawn for the two hottoni 

 links. Loii<>- casts are a mistake if yoii ean throw a fly 

 jjroperly. 



Various recipes inv given for making' the winch line float 

 and so keeping- the fl}' fi'om drowning', but there is nothing 

 that w ill at all com2)are with vaseline. Carry a little vestas 

 box or bottle of this stuff in jowv pocket and anoint so much 

 of 3'our reel line as is used in casting. A little vaseline 

 put upon your fly before using it will greatly increase its 

 buoyancy, and this treatment is far superior to the use of 

 petroleum, which some persons use and recommend to 

 others. The "inventor" of the vaseline process was Mr. 

 A. C. Baker, of the " Sporting and Dramatic " staff, and we 

 fishers of the dry fly owe him a debt of gratitude for his dis- 

 covery. It wall rejuvenate an old fly and make it equal to 

 new ; and it is especially valuable in the case of large- 

 A\anged May-flies and late evening fishing. 



Having thus fully equipped the fisherman, let him turn 

 his head up stream, and if he has choice of both banks he 

 should choose the " weather " side, as giving him the advan- 

 tage of tlie wind at his back in casting. Trout are always 

 to be found waiting near the bank on the lee side of the 

 stream for the flies that are blown over. The most successful 

 dry fly-men all cast underhand, using only the wrist action 

 in drying the fly, and delivering the cast with the forearm 

 below the elbow. This delivery should be done with an 

 upward movement, so tliat the fly drops of its own weight 

 gently on the water and does not strike it with any of the 

 force used in casting. On this method of delivery mainly 

 depends the success of the dry fly fisherman, and I know a 

 great many men who scare all the fish they cast for by 

 neglecting to cultivate the knack of letting their fly 

 fall on the water instead of throwing it there. 



Another common fault amongst this noble army of 

 duffers is the besetting sin of casting too long a line. As 

 soon as the fly falls on the stream it begins to float downi to- 

 wards the man at the wheel, and the line must be shortened 

 as it comes down, or there will be some slack between the 

 fly and the rod top. AYhere such is the case you will miss 



