322 FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



trout strike a fly with his tail, drown it and then eat it. 

 I always take a trout in the mouth on my fly gene- 

 rally hooked in the upper lip, showing that he does 

 his part of the business in a straightforward way and 

 does not come tail first to the lure. 



I own to be a little particular about my rod, the 

 middle joint not too limber, but with back-bone as well 

 as spring ; it suits me if it tapers so as to describe a 

 perfect arc when the tip is brought near to the butt. I 

 specify no makers though I own to favorites in that 

 line. I wish to make no petty jealousies here. 



A rod as near ten feet long as may be, for trout fish- 

 ing, weight from seven to eight ounces, never over ten, 

 with the reel close to and under the butt ; an easy run- 

 ning click-reel ; a line of braided hair and silk, strong 

 and weighty enough for a cast against the wind as well 

 as with it ; a clear, strong, looped leader for a quick 

 change of flies ; a book well supplied with the latter to 

 give the speckled beauties a choice, and I am ready for 

 work. 



The idea of special flies for special seasons of the 

 year I have found to be a humbug. Trout are exceed- 

 ingly whimsical about flies. Watch those that are on 

 the stream, see which the trout leap for and get as near 

 the like of them as your book will allow. 



Always, if possible, fish down stream. It is easier. 

 You can detect swirls, eddies, shaded pools, coverts of 

 rock, mossy-banks and overhanging branches, from 

 above, better than below. Trout do not scare so easily 



