CHAP, v.] THE SECOND DAY. 243 



two hairs next to the hook ; for one (though some, I know, will 

 pretend to more art than their fellows) is indeed too few, the 

 least accident, with the finest hand, being sufficient to break it : 

 but he that cannot kill a Trout of twenty inches long with two, 

 in a river clear of wood and weeds, as this and some others of 

 ours are, deserves not the name of an Angler. 



Now, to have your whole line as it ought to be, two of the first 

 lengths nearest the hook should be of two hairs apiece ; the next 

 three lengths above them of three ; the next three above them of 

 four ; and, so, of five, and six, and seven, to the very top : by 

 which means your rod and tackle will, in a manner, be taper 

 from your very hand to your hook : your line will fall much better 

 and straighter, and cast your fly to any certain place to which the 

 hand and eye shall direct it, with less weight and violence, that 

 would otherwise circle the water and fright away the fish. 



In casting your line, do it always before you,* and so that your 

 fly may first fall upon the water, and as little of your line with it 

 as possible : though if the wind be stiff, you will then, of necessity, 

 be compelled to drown a good part of your line, to keep your fly 

 in the water. And in casting your fly you must aim at the 

 further or nearer bank, as the wind serves your turn, which also 

 will be with and against you, on the same side, several times in 

 an hour, as the river winds in its course, and you will be forced 

 to angle up and down by turns accordingly, but are to endeavour, 

 as much as you can, to have the wind, evermore, on your back. 

 And always be sure to stand as far off the bank as your length 

 will give you leave when you throw to the contrary side : though 

 when the wind will not permit you so to do, and that you are 

 constrained to angle on the same side whereon you stand, 

 you must then stand on the very brink of the river, and cast 

 your fly to the utmost length of your rod and line, up or down 

 the river, as the gale serves. 



It only remains, touching your line, to inquire, whether your 

 two hairs next to the hook are better twisted or open ? And for 

 that I should declare that I think the open way the better, because 

 it makes less show in the water, but that I have found an incon- 



* The tyro in the art of fly-fishing, who may be desirous of farther instructions for 

 "casting his line" than those given by Cotton in the text, is referred to the " Complete 

 Angler's Vade Mecum," by Captain Williamson, who has endeavoured " to supply the 

 learner with such plain matter-of-fact directions, with respect to the management of his 

 fly-rod, as may at once enable him to cast his line without restraint ; " and to Taylor's 

 Art of Angling ; but it is almost needless to observe, that one day's instruction from an 

 experienced fly-fisher will be found of more value than all the directions ever written. 



