PREFACE 



IN writing this book the author has endeavoured to con- 

 fine his text entirely to subjects that he thinks will interest 

 every fisherman and be of assistance to those who, owing 

 to lack of opportunity, are neither experienced nor skilful. 

 Even when he has ventured to express his opinion on 

 controversial subjects he hopes that his views will cause 

 offence to none. 



The average fisherman may not want to know how to 

 build a rod but he certainly wishes to know how to select 

 one and how to use it. He may not want to make his own 

 flies but he certainly desires to know what flies to get and 

 when and how to use them. He does not want to make 

 his fishing line what he wants is to know how to extend it 

 and how to preserve its usefulness. 



If it be desirable and necessary to obtain help in order to 

 become a proficient fly fisherman, the author admits the 

 great advantages of personal tuition when it is obtainable. 

 But, on the other hand, he is confident that, by explaining 

 in simple language the science of casting and fishing with 

 the fly or minnow, in similar terms to those which he uses 

 when teaching the student personally, he can help the 

 reader to acquire, by careful attention, a success which 

 will well repay him for his trouble. 



When one recalls the pleasure and assistance which have 

 been derived from the literature devoted to fly fishing, the 

 pleasant reminiscences which have been revived, and the 

 extensive fields of sport which have thus been thrown 

 open, it would indeed be ungrateful to deny the 



