Getting Out the Fly Books 



avoided we may add the positive one that 

 fly-fishing is, for many reasons, the most 

 interesting form of angling. Fish take 

 the artificial fly best when feeding upon 

 the natural insects, which diet (as has been 

 shown experimentally, for trout, at least) 

 gives weight and strength more rapidly 

 than any other. They are then more in- 

 clined to " sport,' ' they fight harder, and, 

 it may be added, are more valued for the 

 table. The gratification is enhanced by 

 the greater delicacy of tackle made pos- 

 sible by the flexibility and elasticity of 

 the rod necessary to fly-casting; and it is 

 certainly a greater pleasure to outwit the 

 game by a clever imitation of a fly than 

 by an actual gross lump of food. But the 

 essential charm, we think, lies beyond the 

 mere use of a fly; for trolling a fly is 

 scarcely less lethargic than any other troll- 

 ing, while minnow-casting is nearly as 

 delightful as fly-casting. The gentle but 

 continuous activity of fly-fishing gives it 

 interest; the endeavor to put the fly accu- 

 rately and delicately just where the angler 

 would have it, makes it as absorbing as 

 any trial of marksmanship. The fascinat- 

 ing suspense of waiting for the rising fish ! 

 (There is one under the azalea bush!) 

 Out goes the fly toward the marked spot. 



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