A DAY'S FISHING 59 



Do you see that deep hole, right up-stream, where the 

 water glides smoothly by that sun-smitten rock ? Well, I 

 am certain that there is at least one trout in its shade, and, 

 therefore, I am going to throw my fly on the rock, and then 

 slowly pull it until it drops off into the deep water. Watch ! 

 There, I made no splash with my line, and my fly has 

 alighted just on the edge of the rock, and well in sight of 

 any fish which may be lurking in the cool and delightful 

 depths below. See, I pull it gently, it slides down the rock, 

 tumbles into the water, and floats beautifully down-stream. 

 A little ring spreads out, and dies away. The fly has gone ! 

 It is a rise, and I have him. See how be bores down ; he 

 has some retreat, possibly a hole at the base of the rock, but 

 out he has to come, and, finally, after a stubborn fight, 

 he, too, goes into my creel. Now take the rod, as I must 

 be getting home. Shorten up the line. No, you are 

 winding the line up too carelessly. Always wind a line 

 firmly on the reel, or you will perhaps at a critical moment 

 be in difficulties owing to the line over-running itself. 

 That's better ! The next two or three hours' fishing will 

 be poor ; therefore fish the rise if you see one, but also try 

 all the places in which you think it is possible fish may be 

 lying. Alter your fly if the rising fish neglect the one you 

 are now using. 



Keep well out of sight, and go gently with my rod, and 

 " Good luck and a taut line to you ! " 



THE SELECTION OF THE FLY 



The most critical decision of a day's dry fly fishing is 

 that which centres round the selection of the artificial fly. 

 The varieties of the fly to which the fish will rise are many, 

 and the times at which these flies may appear are uncertain 

 and impossible to foresee. There will always be an un- 

 certainty as to size, colouring, or variety of the fly which will 



