FLY FISHING 35 



details that have gone to make up some red-letter day 

 in the past, the whole scene comes up as fresh as 

 ever, and memory, ever willing, gives them a most 

 vivid picture of the pool in which the fish of the 

 season put up his last gallant struggle. They recall 

 those exciting moments when the strength of the cast 

 was taxed to its utmost as the fish wildly endeavoured 

 to reach the roots of an overhanging tree, and the 

 joyful feeling of power that crept over them when at 

 last the lusty trout, having somewhat spent himself, 

 allowed them to regain a foot or two of line. Then 

 came that last mad rush when the captive perceived 

 the net. 



These memories are happy indeed, though often 

 enough they lead one astray, as, when the eve of the 

 opening day arrives, one has probably definitely 

 decided to begin operations at the exact pool that was 

 the scene of one's former success. Is this adapting 

 oneself to circumstances ? It can hardly be so, and 

 yet probably very few can say that they have never 

 fallen a victim to such foolishness. 



The wise man waits until the morrow, when he can 

 see how the wind strikes his favourite stream or reach, 

 whether the water is too high or too low, and whether 

 the sport that it normally might be expected to yield 

 is going to be adversely affected by any other con- 

 dition. If so, even though disappointed, he will find 

 a more suitable place at which to begin and no doubt 



