104 THE DRY FLY AND FAST WATER 



was led gently to the still water below, and, 

 although he proved to be a fine brown trout, his 

 manner of taking the fly appealed to us more 

 than his quality, and he was returned to the 

 stream. The rise is the thing, and a dashing 

 one of this sort makes the blood quicken as 

 the dull chug of a fish taking under water 

 never can. 



When a trout is taken on a floating fly from 

 beneath the tangled rubbish which collects 

 about the submerged roots of a fallen tree or 

 stump, the angler may attribute his success to 

 common sense and reason more than to his 

 dexterity in placing the fly. If we assume that 

 the fish is under the tangle, taking advantage 

 of the shade and protection it affords, is it log- 

 ical to expect him to worm his way up through 

 it to take a fly? And, as his head is invariably 

 pointed up-stream, is it at all likely that a fly 

 placed behind him will be observed? The an- 

 swer is obviously, no! When a trout occupies 

 a position of this character, it is always because 

 of its proximity to water which will permit 

 him the greatest freedom in securing food or in 

 escaping from danger. He is often unwilling, 

 and frequently unable, to dart rapidly down- 

 stream when moved by either of these considera- 



