192 ROD AND RIVER 



I experienced very many difficulties which I was 

 never able to overcome successfully. 



Happening to be in Winchester for a few days 

 on business, I repaired to Mr. George Currell, 

 the well-known tackle-maker and fisherman, and 

 got him to give me a few lessons in the art. At 

 that time Mr. Halford's book had just made its 

 appearance, and Mr. Currell showed me a copy of 

 it in his possession. I at once ordered one for 

 myself, and set to work to follow out the direc- 

 tions there given. With the assistance of Mr. Cur- 

 rell's able tuition, combined with the instructions 

 so clearly laid down in Mr. Halford's work, I was 

 very soon enabled to tie flies for myself as well as 

 I could purchase them. Since that time I have 

 but very rarely found it necessary to purchase 

 any flies, unless they have been too minute for 

 me to make myself. 



I can hardly describe how much pleasure the 

 ability to make my own flies really well has 

 afforded me. It has added yet another charm 

 to a sport which has ever had a peculiar fascina- 

 tion for me. To imitate a natural fly, cast it 

 deftly over a rising trout, and bring the latter to 

 bank, is surely far more pleasurable than to catch 

 the same fish with a bought fly. The man who 

 can tie his own flies may be utterly independent of 

 the tackle-makers in this respect. If his stock is 

 low, or he runs short of any particular pattern, 



