THE RISE 85 



that it was worth trying, although there was no 

 actual indication that a fish occupied it. The 

 bottom was plainly discernible except in the 

 swifter water near the head, and, as no fish 

 could be seen, I selected the edge of this swift 

 water upon which to place my fly. A dozen or 

 more casts were made without any apparent 

 effect, when suddenly a yellow gleam at the 

 tail of the pocket, just after the fly had floated 

 over the lip, disclosed a fine trout poised in the 

 flattening water. Explaining the situation to 

 my companion who was now all excitement, 

 having seen the fish, and who really did not 

 believe it could be taken on the spur of the 

 moment I decided to try to prove my theory 

 at the risk of losing the fish. I ceased casting 

 to him. We watched him for probably two or 

 three minutes, during which time he appeared 

 to be keenly alert, when he quietly left his 

 position and moved back up-stream into the 

 swift water and out of sight. My opportunity 

 had come, although my friend thought I had 

 lost it. To make more certain that the colour 

 of the fly played no part in the affair, I sub- 

 stituted a Silver Sedge for the Whirling Dun 

 I had been using. After about a dozen casts 

 with this fly there came the same yellow gleam, 



