TROUT FLY-FISHING. 331 



wind at one's back, in most cases cannot be followed; for 

 our rough rapid streams in tbe first instance, and tbe thickly- 

 wooded banks in the other, which make it necessary to wade, 

 ignore both rules. The force of the current in many a 

 good rift would bring the flies back, and, as I have seen with 

 beginners, entangle them, in the legs of his pantaloons. It 

 is only in a still pool, or where the current is gentle, that 

 one is able to fish up stream with any degree of precision. 

 A word or two here about the flies coming down 



" Light as falls the flaky snow," 



and that the flies only should touch the surface, or that they 

 should touch it before the leader. The first idea is a very 

 poetical one, and may be carried out in a good degree, if the 

 line is light, the leader fine, and the cast not too long. The 

 second is impracticable with a long line, unless from a bank 

 somewhat elevated above the water. But in a day's fishing 

 on our streams, the miraculous casting or falling of the flies, 

 which some writers speak of, and their skill in this respect, 

 are things we " read about." 



My experience is, that the falling of the leader — which is 

 almost transparent when properly dyed — does not frighten 

 the fish, but it is the incautious approach or conspicuous 

 position of the angler. In casting over a piece of water, the 

 flies always precede the leader and line, and, as a matter of 

 course, fall where the fish lie before the line does, as the 

 fisher advances or extends his cast. As the line will swag 

 more or less in a long cast, it must necessarily touch the 

 water. 



I would not give the impression from the foregoing that it 

 is not necessary that the flies should fall lightly, for in fishing 

 fine it is important that they should. To accomplish this, as 

 I have already said, no sudden check should be given to the 



