194 THE DRY FLY AND FAST WATER 



of mind that surely is not conducive to best 

 effort. After taking a fish on the first few casts, 

 his subsequent proceedings are governed by an 

 anomalous condition of mind he believes that 

 his sport is over, yet hopes the day may prove 

 the fallacy of his theory, and, in an unconscious 

 effort to avoid his fate, he fishes in a careless 

 manner. 



The rise which indicates that a large fish is 

 feeding has, upon the minds of some anglers, 

 a psychological effect which works toward de- 

 feating any attempt they make in throwing to 

 him. The angler is alert only to the necessity 

 of placing his fly near the fish, and, caution 

 thrown to the winds, he approaches in a manner 

 which might be called stealthy if he used it in 

 escaping from a burning building. Having be- 

 gun without cautioning, thus preparing the way 

 to dismal failure, he fixes his eye upon the 

 spot where the rise was noted, and sends his 

 fly, with no thought, perhaps, other than to get 

 it on the water as quickly as possible. If his 

 efforts meet with no reward and the chances 

 are that they will not and many fish are to be 

 seen feeding all about, he probably becomes 

 frantic with desire to take one, runs through a 

 rapid change of flies in the hope of finding one 



