28 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



up to three pounds; and the large, embracing those above 

 that weight. The small and the medium fish may read- 

 ily be taken with two or more flies handled in the usu- 

 al manner that is, with the drop flies just skimming the 

 surface of the water ; but the habitual caution of the 

 large fish seems best to be overcome by quite a differ- 

 ent method of temptation. A single large fly moving 

 very slowly about six inches under water appears most 

 to their taste. The larger the trout the more slowly 

 he approaches and takes in the fly, but the more prompt- 

 ly he realizes and rejects the deception if time is al- 

 lowed him so to do. The eye alone directs when to 

 strike. To strike, and at the proper moment, is neces- 

 sary, while the duration of that moment might well 

 serve as a type of brevity. Again the offer conies 

 when least expected, like a thief in the night. Then 

 the utmost promptness of action is requisite, together 

 with no little vigor, to transmit the impulse to the hook 

 through the half-sunken line. The highest attainable 

 excellence in every portion of his outfit, and unremit- 

 ting vigilance on the part of the angler, alone will pre- 

 vent the most bitter disappointment, as he gazes, with 

 feelings beggaring description, on the subsiding swirl of 

 the mighty fish, which, though he combats the feeling 

 with all the excuses his ingenuity can devise, his inner 

 consciousness tells him should have been his own. I 

 speak from the heart, for "I have been there." 



Fly-fishing for large trout had been below par during 

 the fall of 1883. On September 29th I was informed 

 that some had been seen that morning rolling in the 

 pool below the lumber-dam. A hasty dinner finished, 

 and I was at the pool. Up rolled a trout two feet long 

 before I could prepare to cast. To my brothers of the 



