n8 THE DRY FLY AND FAST WATER 



kle, slips by the boulder and does not break 

 into a fall, the fly should be placed a yard above 

 and directly in front of the boulder, and should 

 not be retrieved until it has passed some distance 

 down-stream. A fish in the dead water may 

 often be tempted to come down after the fly, and 

 when this happens the whole scene is enacted in 

 plain view. There is nothing quite so exciting 

 as this in the whole sport of angling except, per- 

 haps, casting to and inducing a fish to rise that 

 is lying in plain view. 



Trout frequently take up stations in the back- 

 water or eddy which is formed under and behind 

 the miniature falls in these rapid stretches. 

 When in this position they are inaccessible to 

 the dry fly angler. They belong entirely to the 

 wet fly man who is familiar enough with the 

 habits of the fish to drop his fly above the brink 

 of the fall, allowing it to be carried over and 

 then under the water, so that, if it is caught in 

 the backwater, it is presented directly to the 

 fish, which rarely refuses to take one that comes 

 so easily. When evening comes on, however, 

 the dry fly angler has his opportunity. The 

 sizable fish which select these retreats during 

 the bright days drop down-stream as darkness 

 approaches, and, if not cruising, will be found 



