THE VALUE OF OBSERVATION 35 



approaches the rock, the trout darting out and 

 retiring immediately to avoid being caught in 

 the swifter water on either side of his strong- 

 hold. But if it is not taken, and is permitted 

 to float down with the current, it may bring a 

 response. 



It was a somewhat similar observation which 

 prompted the practice and, I must say, rather 

 dubious development of what some of my friends 

 are pleased to call the "fluttering" or "bounce" 

 cast. This cast is supposed to represent the 

 action of a fluttering insect, the fly merely 

 alighting upon the water, rising, alighting again, 

 repeating the movement three or four times at 

 most; finally coming to rest and being allowed 

 to float down-stream. It rarely comes off, but 

 when it does it is deadly; and, for the good of 

 the sport, I am glad that it is difficult, though 

 sorry, too, for the pleasure of accomplishing it 

 successfully is really greater than that of taking 

 fish with it. The cast is made with a very 

 short line never over twenty-five feet and 

 the fly alone touches the water. The action of 

 the fly is very similar to that produced by 

 the method known as "dapping," but instead of 

 being merely dangled from the rod, as is the 

 case when "dapping," the fly is actually cast. 



