60 THE DRY FLY AND FAST WATER 



Meeting with failure while the insects are 

 about, the angler should rest until they have 

 disappeared and then, having marked the posi- 

 tion of the fish, try them with the method de- 

 scribed for bulgers. Failing again, let him figure 

 it out if he can. 



When fish are feeding upon some particular 

 species of insect it is quite logical to assume 

 that an imitation of that species will appeal to 

 them more readily than an imitation of any 

 other. But when the insects are numerous, as 

 they are on occasions, and the fish are mov- 

 ing about, the chance of the artificial fly being 

 selected from among the great number of nat- 

 urals upon the water is one to whatever the 

 number may be. As a general rule, the larger 

 fish take up positions which by virtue of might 

 are theirs for the choosing and almost invari- 

 ably in places where many flies are carried down 

 by the current. If they be rising steadily the 

 angler is enabled to reduce the odds against 

 him by his ability to place his fly near the spot 

 where he knows one to be lying. It does not 

 follow, however, that because certain insects are 

 observed flying about they are of the species 

 with which the trout are engaged for the moment. 



If an insect be observed flying as though 



