WET FLY FISHING UP STREAM. 101 



preference to a smaller one. Never buy flies with the gut 

 tied to the hook when eyed flies are to be had. 



There are many days, mostly in fine weather and clear, 

 calm water, which require the floating fly to be in the most 

 perfect condition possible, while on a few other days, and 

 in perhaps rougher water, the more fluffy and knocked 

 about the fly be, the more deadly it appears to become. 



When hesitating as to the sizes of any fly, it is better 

 to choose the large one, even on such educated waters 

 as the Itchen and the Test. 



But it must also be remembered that educated trout 

 may easily be " put down " by a fly larger than the natural 

 fly to which they are accustomed. 



WET FLY FISHING UP STREAM. 



As wading is almost imperative in open water when 

 wet fly fishing up stream, a short rod about nine feet 

 six inches is the best length to use, but when casting from the 

 bank, either up or down stream, a longer rod is advisable. 



The wet fly is most useful in the earlier and colder 

 months of the year, but it is not everyone who cares to 

 invite rheumatism or endure the cold inseparable from 

 wading during March and April. 



When fishing up stream with the wet fly, the line, after 

 the flies have touched the water, should never be slack. The 

 tail flies should never be allowed to sink more than a few 



