OBJECTIONS ANSWERED 33 



is that the use of two flies on the cast helps the 

 angler to pass safely over the transition period 

 between the wet-fly and the dry. 



We should not have any compunctions about 

 using three dry-flies at once. We have done so, but 

 we find it impossible to keep more than two under 

 observation at the same time, and carefully watched 

 they must be, if a rise is to have its desired end. 

 None can say how or when the fly will disappear, 

 and, unless the eye sees and marks its going, the 

 wrist cannot be prepared to respond. 



None can prove to the beginner in the art of dry- 

 fly fishing, but he will prove for himself at his initial 

 attempt, that, instead of subtracting from his chances 

 of sport, the use of one or at most two flies will 

 greatly increase them. On this point one cannot 

 hope to convince another ; but it is easy to convince 

 oneself. 



It has been said, and truly said, that the dry-fly 

 is a splendid lure on calm bright days, when the 

 loch and pool are smooth as glass. A great many 

 anglers, who should have had more sense, have 

 misinterpreted that statement, and taken it to mean 

 that only under such conditions is the dry-fly profit- 

 able. We are continually meeting anglers who are 

 under this impression ; the floating fly, immediately 

 it is mentioned, calls up visions of conditions which 

 do not generally inspire hope ; it is associated in 

 the minds of very many with cloudless, windless 

 skies, unruffled pools, and quivering atmosphere. 

 The misconception is unfortunate, inexcusable per- 

 haps, but certainly very common. It is not our 

 desire to claim more for the dry-fly than it deserves ; 

 but without doubt it is a killing lure on all waters 



