30 DRY-FLY FISHING 



spring time, when he would learn to cast a fly lightly 

 on the water, answer a rising trout, and at the 

 same time obtain some knowledge of the various 

 species of flies and their seasons. 



In time he will be in a position to advance to the 

 higher branches of angling, and only after he has 

 arrived at this state should he think of dry-fly 

 fishing. He will have much expert knowledge of 

 trout and their ways ; all he now requires consists 

 of further information regarding flies and a little 

 instruction in the art of manipulating a floating 

 artificial. 



Many another has said, " I am too old to learn 

 it." If he is old in fishing experience, he would learn 

 in the minimum of time. If he is young in experi- 

 ence and old in years, the answer would not have been 

 given, for the question would not have been asked. 



Those who already fish the wet-fly upstream have 

 almost nothing to learn ; if they will simply oil 

 their flies, they are dry-fly fishers. Those who still 

 believe in fishing downstream with the fly, have only 

 to turn their eyes to the hills and arrange that the 

 trout, they desire to catch, sees a fly before it sees 

 an angler. There is nothing mysterious or difficult 

 in dry-fly fishing to those who have practised the 

 more elementary methods of angling. 



Perhaps the chief objection to the dry-fly is one 

 seldom expressed or admitted. It is difficult to 

 break away from long-established custom, and the 

 wet-fly angler, before he can adopt the dry-fly, is 

 called upon to relinquish two habits deeply rooted 

 within him by the practice of many years. He is 

 required to float his flies and to reduce the number on 

 his cast. 



