FLY-FISHING FOE MOOELAND TEOUT. 63 



it; or when the sun, river, and angler are so positioned that 

 the angler's shadow would be over the fish were he to cast 

 up stream. In rather thick water, when the trout rise slowly, 

 the flies have often to be sunk, and held a few seconds. This 

 process can only be managed down stream. The only way to 

 get the flies over fish in a portion of the river completely 

 overhung with branch.es, is to drop the cast in the water 

 in a clear place, and let the cuiTent carry it along, as 

 much line being let off the reel as may be necessary. This 

 is, of course, one method of down-stream angling. Always 

 remember, when fishing eddies, that the water in them flows 

 the reverse way to the stream, and fish them accordingly. 



A point to be remembered is that trout can often see the 

 angler when the edge of the bank actually intervenes between 

 them. Refraction in the water enables the fish to see round 

 the corner. If you do not believe me, place a penny in a 

 pudding-basin, and walk backwards from it until the rim of the 

 basin just hides the penny. Then get a friend to slowly pour 

 water into the basin. Before it is full you will see the penny^ 

 though neither you, nor the basin, nor penny have moved. 

 The penny represents the trout, the water the river, the edge of 

 basin tbe river's bank. 



Do not stand on banks so that the trout see your manly 

 proportions against the sky. Get a hill, trees, a wall — any- 

 thing — as a background, whenever you can. When casting, keep 

 your rod as low as possible, for the flash of the rod frightens 

 fish ; but the flash can be reduced to a minimum if the rod is 

 treated after tbe manner described in tbe footnote on page 51- 

 Do not wave your arms about, and be careful to tread lightly, 

 especially if the banks are boggy or hollow. I know several 

 brooks from which very few trout are caught owing to the 

 vibration of the bank when trodden upon. 



When on a small, rocky stream, fish quickly. If the water is 

 much broken, the fish will not be able to see you, and you 

 can walk up stream and, casting with, a short line, pick out 

 fish after fish from every little nook and comer. If they run 

 small — ^about five to the pound — do not attempt to play them, 

 but whip them out on to the bank as fast as you can. Tou 



