6 THE DRY FLY AND FAST WATER 



wet fly usually upon the quiet surface of a 

 pool or on flat, slow water. Contrary to the 

 prevailing notion, however, the floating fly is 

 not a whit more deadly on water of this charac- 

 ter than the wet fly, when the latter is properly 

 fished. The difficulty in taking trout on such 

 water may be ascribed to two causes: (i) When 

 the water is low and clear, or where it has little 

 motion and the surface is unruffled, the fish is 

 likely to perceive the activities of the angler 

 at a greater distance than is possible in rougher 

 water, and is thus sooner warned of his approach. 

 (2) When the angler has been careful to conceal 

 himself from the fish, the fly cast in the usual 

 wet fly manner is likely to be refused because 

 of its unnatural action, the wake made by 

 dragging the flies across the smooth surface 

 being sufficient at times to deter even small fish 

 from becoming interested in it. The floating 

 fly is far more effective than the wet, "jerky" fly, 

 because, as no motion is imparted to it, it is 

 more lifelike in appearance. When such a fly, 

 properly presented, is refused such refusal may 

 be due as much to a disinclination upon the 

 part of the fish to feed as to his suspicion having 

 been aroused. The wet fly fished sunk, with no 

 more motion given to it than is given to the 



