THE JOLLY ANGLER. 81 



adept in the art. Very few anglers can manage above 25 

 yards well with a long double-handed rod, unless the 

 wind backs them in the effort. A light rod, with from 

 16 to 20 yards of line thrown straight forth, and lightly 

 on the water, will be more likely to succeed than a greater 

 quantity managed with less skill. With regard to fly- 

 making, I cannot go out of the beaten track. Bowlker 

 and others have explained the thing as far as words can 

 go. If I was to attempt any thing farther, it would extend 

 the number of cuts as well as the length and price of this 

 work beyond the limits I have prescribed. 



The late Mr. Salter was not a fly-fisherman ; he was a 

 thorough-bred bottom-angler. I question whether a fly- 

 book formed part of his angling apparatus. I have been 

 much in his company, and have had good cause to admire 

 the extreme neatness of his tackle ; but he never brought 

 forth any thing relating to the artificial fly. He certainly 

 does say, when treating of dipping with real flies, " I have 

 had much success (particularly in the river Lea) in 

 whipping with a humble bee, both with the natural and 

 artificial." This is the only instance in which he insinuates 

 that he has attempted any thing with an artificial fly. 



All the advice I can give on the subject, is to get by the 

 side of a good fly-nmker, and you will learn more in one 

 minute than I could here explain (satisfactorily to myself 

 or you) in one hour. As Moses Browne says 



" When artful flies the angler would prepare, 

 This task of all deserves hia utmost care : 

 Nor verse or prose can ever teach him veil. 

 What masters only know, and practice tell; 

 Yet this at large I venture to support, 

 Nature best follow'd, best secures the sport. 

 Of flies the kinds, their seasons, and their breed, 

 Their shapes, their hue, with nice observance heed: 

 Which most the Trout admires, and where obtain'd, 

 Experience best will teach you, or some friend." 



Best, who was an expert hand, gives you a long list 

 of flies (in his work on angling), some " killing, 1 ' others 

 " great killers;" but he wisely lays his foundation on the 

 Palmers (and May-fly, when in season); these, he truly 

 says, seldom fail. This I can say in their favour, that 

 however much the other sorts may fluctuate in estimation, 



