170 TROUT FISHING. 



blown back. Throwing with the left hand is then a 

 convenience ; but for those who are not able to do this, 

 I can suggest no better makeshift than to raise the rod 

 over the left shoulder, and throw the line by a motion 

 similar to that used with a whip when lightly hitting a 

 leader on the near side. (Any one who has driven in 

 double reins will know what I mean.) I made a point 

 of killing some fish this way, in order to try the ex- 

 periment ; which is, of course, a mere substitute for the 

 best method of throwing. So much for throwing. Now 

 for what few finishing touches I can think of : Avoid, 

 if you can, going too close to the edge of the water. 

 Throw, if you are aufait enough to do it well, rather 

 for the fly to become for a moment suspended across 

 the wind, than directly down the wind ; as it then falls 

 still lighter, and, from this circumstance, is, of course, 

 more likely to deceive a large fish. Prefer dropping 

 the fly just under a bush or hedge, or in an eddy, to the 

 open river, because your line is then more obscured from 

 the light, and the largest fish generally monopolise the 

 possession of such places, in order to find, and devour, 

 the more flies and insects : and, also, to be near their 

 places of security. If the spot is quite calm, watch the 

 first good fish that rises, avail yourself immediately of 

 the ripple that has been made by the fish himself ; and 

 drop in your fly a little above where he last rose. Never 

 let your line lie too long, as by so doing you either ex- 

 pose your tackle to the fish by leaving it stationary, or 

 draw the line in so close, that you lose both the power 

 of striking your fish, if he rises, and that of getting a 

 good sweep for your next throw. The first fall of the 

 fly, \nfishing, is like \hefirst sight of a bird in pre- 

 senting a gun always the best. 



