How to Get Them 



of the hciiul moves the flies immediately. The 

 nearer we are to our flies, the greater is the 

 chance of hooking a trout when it rises. It is of 

 greater importance to make the flies hght softly 

 in a natural manner, like an insect with out- 

 sj)read, gauzy wings. 



To accomplish this and to throw with certainty 

 to any spot desired requires great practice. Thin 

 gut, the necessity of which I advocate so strongly, 

 is exceedingly difficult to cast, as it has little weight 

 to carry it forward; therefore beginners should 

 use moderately strong gut at first, and as they 

 improve in casting reduce its size. 



PLAYING TROUT 



Opinions differ as to whether a trout should be 



struck on rising, but my experience is to strike 



at once. When a trout takes the fly it shuts its 



„, ., . mouth, and is therefore almost sure to 



Striking , . , , , . • 1 •, 1 1 



brmg the hook m contact with its closed 



jaws. It frequently happens that a trout on taking 

 the fly, when left to do as it chooses, very quickly 

 expels it from its mouth with considerable force; 

 a trout on seizing an artificial fly is almost instan- 

 taneously aware that it is a counterfeit and never 

 attempts to swallow it, but very frequently lets it 

 go before the angler has time to strike; so that it 



„ . , is of the utmost importance to strike 



Quickness . ,. , i i • • i 



immediately, and this is the reason 



why a quick eye and ready hand are considered 



the most necessary qualifications for a fly-fisher. 



201 



