CHAPTER IV. 



EDUCATION OF THE SOUTH -COUNTRY 



TROUT. 



URELY angling with the dry fly can be claimed as the 

 highest branch of the gentle craft ? It cannot be doubted 

 that those who have once experienced the fascination of 

 "spotting" and stalking a well-fed and highly-educated 

 south-country trout are bitten for life, and are, especially 

 at first, rendered somewhat unappreciative of the sister 

 art. The best fisherman is he who can best adapt 

 himself to his environment and is ready to adopt the method most 

 likely to be successful on the water he happens to be fishing. But 

 undoubtedly dry-fishing labours under one serious disadvantage that 

 does not affect the wet-fly fisherman, namely, the much dreaded 

 drag, so sadly familiar to those who fish the rise with the floating fly. 

 Who is there, however, who has not experienced legitimate pride and 

 pleasure when, by change of position or by deft casting, its baleful 

 effects have been overcome and discounted ? 



It is not given to everyone to command the sleight of hand of a 

 master and to be able at will to pitch a fly, cocked and floating exactly 

 right, whilst a bag of the line has been simultaneously sent up stream, so 

 that for a short few moments whilst passing over the fateful spot the fly 

 may float truly with the stream, out of the influence of the more rapid 

 water between the fish and the fisherman. In streams where wading is 

 allowed the fisherman has undoubtedly an advantage, as he can get 

 more directly behind the fish, and so avoid the heavy current. But 



