92 FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



But a single large fly was used. It was cast, neither 

 line nor leader having a suspicion of a kink, allowed to 

 rest where it fell until it had sunk a foot or so below 

 the surface, then slowly moved about three feet, another 

 pause of five or six seconds followed, then the fly was 

 slowly drawn to within the proper distance, and at last, 

 smoothly and quietly taken off the water, preparatory to 

 another cast. A marked change in the size of the fish 

 taken attended the adoption of this method. 



I have never known or heard of a trout of over three 

 and one-half pounds being taken in those waters upon a 

 fly moving on the surface. It may happen, but it is 

 surely rare. I have not unfrequently known large trout 

 to take the fly of an angler who habitually so fished, but 

 upon investigation it has, without exception, appeared 

 that the rise occurred when the fisherman was discour- 

 aged, or attending to something beside his flies, and, at 

 that moment they were idly sinking beneath the surface. 



I have talked with many Eangely guides on this sub- 

 ject, and I have yet to hear one of them advocate any 

 other method of handling the fly. 



One fly is better than a larger number, since these 

 large fish are difficult to control when first fastened. 

 They then naturally make for cover, and a second fly in- 

 creases the danger of a foul. Sometimes, it is true, a 

 small fish on the drop-fly will tow the stretcher through 

 the water, and thus entice a large one, when every other 

 means has been tried in vain. Still, take it all in all, a 

 single fly will prove the most profitable. 



