54 DRY-FLY FISHING 



making the backward cast must pull the fly under. 

 A few experiences of this kind must have a very 

 injurious effect on the fly, loading it with water, 

 neutralising the care expended on its construc- 

 tion, and very probably reducing its efficiency. 

 It would appear, therefore, that the whole cast 

 ought to float, but, whatever it may be to the 

 trout, a floating cast is alarmingly conspicuous 

 to the angler, who is apt to feel that it removes 

 all possibility of success. Accordingly, we leave 

 undressed the foot of gut next the fly. If a dropper- 

 fly is used, then a length of gut on either side of 

 it should be allowed to sink. The length of the 

 water-trip undertaken by the fly is thus reduced 

 very considerably, and at the same time the gut 

 in the vicinity of the fly does not offend the eye. 

 The arrangement is, of course, a compromise, but 

 in practice it works so well that we have never 

 felt inclined to hold it responsible for failures. 



A line-greaser, such as is now procurable anywhere, 

 is convenient both for carrying and applying the 

 Cerolene ; it is really an indispensable part of the 

 equipment. 



Creel, Landing Net, &c. 



When the angler goes out fishing with the dry- 

 fly, he is rather more likely to require a large creel 

 or bag, and a strong, capacious landing-net than 

 at other times ; but he should content himself 

 with his present possessions, until he discovers 

 for himself that they are inadequate for his pur- 

 pose or unworthy of the lure. 



The subject of flies, being both large and im- 

 portant, will be~dealt with in a subsequent chapter. 



