FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 269 



surface of still and somewhat shallow water a fine oily film, due 

 partly to the sporules of water weeds, but mainly, I believe, to 

 the floating ova and larvae of minute insects, which is only 

 visible in particular lights, and yet very effectively dulls the 

 quick sight of the trout. When you see a patch of inshore 

 water dimmed by such a film, keep low within an easy cast and 

 wait till you see not a distinct break or rise but a slight dimpling 

 of the water caused by the suck of a fish. Drop a single fly a 

 little above him, and his capture is almost a certainty. The 

 value of this resource lies in its being most available in appa- 

 rently hopeless days, when there is a strong sun and no breeze 

 stirring. 



Yet again, fish may often be taken, though at some risk to 

 your tackle, when they are lying in small open spaces among 

 weeds. Keep low for on bright days this is a sine qua non 

 and if your fish be but a few inches below the surface the re- 

 fraction will prevent his seeing you or your rod, and a long cast 

 up stream or across will take him off his guard. But in such a 

 case there must be no playing him ; ere he has recovered the 

 first shock of finding himself hooked he must be hurried down 

 stream along the surface till you have him in open water, and 

 can square accounts with him at your leisure. In this rough- 

 and-ready process the hold, of course, may give way, and pos- 

 sibly the tackle. The latter disaster is, however, less frequent 

 than at first sight would seem probable. The fish is taken by 

 surprise, and has no time for organising an effectual resistance, 

 while his forced march down stream quite upsets his ordinary 

 habits. It is when you are fishing a loch on a breezeless day 

 and are tempted to throw over a fish whose ' neb ' you have 

 seen quietly thrust up in a small opening among water lilies' 

 that the ' deadly breach ' is most ' imminent,' and ' hair-breadth 

 'scapes ' only attainable by the happiest combination of caution 

 and audacity. There is no current to help you, and one turn 

 round a tough stalk will lose you both fish and fly. Yet I can 

 remember on a sultry July afternoon, when there was no other 

 possibility of getting a rise, killing in Loch Kinder by this 



