Flies and Fly-fishing. 399 



chances are somewhat increased ; but that has little at- 

 traction for the fly-fisherman. No man, however, can 

 tell when his opportunity will come. The very first cast 

 may be the lucky one. 



In September, 1884, a gentleman took a trout in 

 Rarigely Lake of a fraction over nine pounds in actual 

 weight, not only at almost his first cast in those waters, 

 but also at his very first attempt to use the fly at all in 

 fishing and this directly under the noses of many ex- 

 pert and locally experienced anglers. It was a bitter 

 pill to them, and though it was swallowed, it was not 

 without many a grimace and much railing at fortune. 



Fish may be had, but the big ones seldom at the best. 

 Therefore it behooves him who would boast of the capt- 

 ure of a large trout (and it is a thing to boast of), to re- 

 member, "if he wants to catch any fish, he must keep his 

 line wet," and be patient and persevering. His vigilance 

 must never flag, ever expecting the very next cast may 

 draw the wished-for prize. 



The eye must never for an instant stray from the fly, 

 and at the slightest commotion in the water near where 

 the fly is, or where it is supposed to be, strike at once 

 and strike hard, for the friction of the water on the 

 sunken line and leader will neutralize a feeble demon- 

 stration. The delicate turn of the wrist of the books 

 sounds well and has its sphere of usefulness, but it 

 is not here ; therefore I say again strike, strike prompt- 

 ly, and strike hard, but let it always be from a free reel 

 that an excess of force may be neutralized. Or, if you 

 can see your fly, watch it carefully, and should it dis- 

 appear, strike without the loss of a single instant. The 

 critical period is during the intermediate pause or just 

 after the fly again begins to move. Not unfrequently 



