PREFACE. XI 



the fly. This danger, more imminent, has 

 been provided against, by advising to make 

 all large flies on loops, and so guard the 

 weakest point. The fear of " cracking " 

 off a fly is thus lessened materially, and 

 the pleasure of the beginner much en- 

 hanced. 



The prospects of the fly-fisher are mate- 

 rially brightened by the recent investiga- 

 tions of scientific men on the subject of 

 breeding fish artificially. The protection 

 of the spawn and of the young fish ap- 

 pears so simple a means of multiplying our 

 best fish, that we may hope to see many 

 a troutless stream replenished, and fresh 

 Subscription Waters started, under the 

 most hopeful auspices. The fear of thin- 

 ning the fish will not haunt the proprietor 

 of a good stream so painfully as heretofore, 

 and the graceful art of fly-fishing will gain 

 fresh votaries. That anyone who has once 

 conceived a taste for it, should transfer 

 his affections to other sports, need not 

 be apprehended. For, to use the words of 

 Mr. Bainbridge, to whom fly-fishing is so 

 deeply indebted, " It is a fact worthy of 



