63 



CHAPTER IX. 

 TROUT WET-FLY FISHING. 



HAVING described the trout- 

 fisher's outfit, we may now ex- 

 tract the parts from their respec- 

 tive receptacles, and spend a little 

 time in explaining their use. This 

 is best done practically, but there 

 are some general principles which, 

 borne in mind, will be helpful. 



The first thing is to become 

 master of the rod. Begin by 

 putting it together the correct 

 way ; the top joint fixes into the 

 middle, and then the middle into 

 the butt. If you are detected in 

 the act of screwing the middle 

 joint into the butt first you may 

 be written down an ignoramus, 

 although many who are nothing 

 of the kind sin in that way. If a 

 ferrule works stiffly, you have 

 more power over it in adjusting 

 the top and middle pieces first. 

 It also puts less strain on the 

 joints. The thickness of the line 

 must be adjusted to the length 

 and power of the rod. For wet 

 fishing plaited silk is best. It 

 should be light enough to be easily 

 lifted from the water, and to cast 

 25 yards with ease. A fairly 

 heavy line carries better against 

 the wind, provided always the 

 rod is equal to the strain. It 

 should be tapered, so that the 

 part joining the gut collar corre- 

 sponds with it in thickness and 

 does not show conspicuously on 

 the water. 



It is important to learn how to 

 manipulate a rod. A golf pro- 

 fessional gives three parts of a 

 lesson to the art of swinging the 

 sticks, before allowing the learner 

 to touch a ball. A similar plan 

 may be commended with the 



fishing rod. Grasp it firmly above 

 the winch, and, standing erect, 

 swing it forward and back equal 

 distances. The forearm only 

 should be brought into play, the 

 upper arm held loosely against 

 the side. If the forearm is lowered 

 to the position A (see diagram), 

 the rod will be parallel with the 

 ground ; if it is raised to c, the 

 rod will be at an angle of about 

 45 degrees. This, roughly speak- 

 ing, is the range the rod covers in 

 full play. Swung to the full ex- 

 tent, within these limits, it will 

 be found that the forearm gains 

 power as it goes forward, and 

 loses it in the same ratio as it 

 goes back. Between A and B it 

 is strongest, between B and c it 

 is weakest; B and c are the 

 points between which the arm 

 chiefly moves in making casts 

 within easy range. The mistake 

 beginners make is using the arm 

 instead of the rod. To get the 

 best action, the butt should be 

 held in almost a fixed position, 

 and the movement of the forearm 

 confined to the smallest limits. 

 Hold the butt firmly and let the 

 forearm work between B and B 1 , 

 allowing the wrist to come well 

 into play. In this position the 

 rod works well down to the hand. 

 This movement must be carefully 

 practised to become master of 

 the weapon. In making a long 

 sweep of the arm between A and 

 c, the action of the butt will be 

 confined in the same proportion 

 as between B and B 1 . A little 

 practice with the rod will make 

 these points clear. 



After this the line should be 



