128 ROD AND RIVER 



and the fly must float well, otherwise it presents 

 the appearance of a flabby, tangled mass of 

 feathers to the fish, who, as may be sup- 

 posed, turn up their noses in derision at the 

 palpable imposture. Moreover, if the cast is 

 made when the wings are wet and hanging 

 round the hook, the fly will very probably be 

 ruined. 



Fishing with the ' blow-line,' i.e., a light floss- 

 silk line, and the natural fly, is practised on some 

 rivers, and is especially in vogue on the lakes 

 of West Meath, in Ireland. I have never tried 

 it, but I am given to understand that excellent 

 sport may be thus obtained. Perhaps if I were 

 to go there I might be induced to take to it ; 

 but the artificial fly ever possesses the greater 

 charm for me, and seems to be so much more 

 sporting a method. It is not the number of 

 fish caught which affords the pleasure to the true 

 sportsman, so much as the way they are caught, 

 and the difficulties which have to be encountered 

 to circumvent them. This system of blow-line 

 fishing requires some little skill and practice, so 

 I am given to understand. That is, at all events, 

 one point in its favour, for the more the chances 

 are equalized the truer the sport, whether the 

 quarry be fox, fish, or game. Any fool can kill 

 a fox by foul means, if he is scoundrel enough 

 to try, but such would not be spcrt. Why, then, 



