338 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK 



an intuitive knowledge of likely places, as his skill in casting, 

 or in killing a fish. 



The beginner generally prefers a lively rift, where there is 

 an open cast, for the current takes a good hold on his 

 stretcher, and bears it down stream, while it keeps his leader 

 taut, and his dropper dapping prettily on the surface. But 

 he should remember that in most cases, at such a cast, he is 

 likely to be exposed to the view of the fish, which always lie 

 with their heads up stream. He should therefore approach 

 cautiously, fishing the slack water on each side at the head 

 of the rift, with as long a line as he can well manage. Coming 

 nearer step by step and casting as he advances, he will fish 

 the near, and then the opposite side lower down, drawing his 

 flies lightly across the rough water, and submitting them in 

 some degree to its will. Still approaching he will cast ob- 

 liquely across, then straight down and over the water where 

 the current abates. 



As a general rule the larger fish take precedence, and lie 

 nearer the head of a rift and rise first. If found at the lower 

 end, it will be where the water is deeper and where there are 

 rocks or an overhanging bank. Trout are not often found in 

 a rift or pool with a smooth even floor of rock, or small 

 pebbles, as it affords them no harbor or hiding-places. 



Where a large rock projects above the surface in water of 

 sufficient depth, the angler should cast near its edges on both 

 sides, then above where it repels the force of the stream ; or 

 he may have a rise in the eddy just below, where the divided 

 current unites again. 



A deep bend in the stream' where a caving bank over- 

 hangs, affords a likely cast, especially where stumps, logs, or 

 drift-wood lie about. 



If the stream has a long still reach, one generally fishes 

 from the shallower side, finding his cast opposite where it is 



