INSTRUCTIONS 89 



issue, that is to say, at a time when trout are feed- 

 ing on the surface. It is not fair to judge it by 

 the response it elicits when the living fly is either 

 absent or ignored. We do not estimate the worthi- 

 ness of the trout by the fight it displays in Decem- 

 ber, or assess the value of the grayling from its 

 April form ; we do not decide that the wet-fly 

 is a useless lure because it brings little sport in 

 July. Accordingly we ask the beginner to post- 

 pone his attempt and withhold his opinion of 

 the floating fly until the advent of an auspicious 

 day. 



Success with the dry-fly is not inevitable at all 

 times ; but on certain occasions it is, and often, 

 very often, when the invitation to use it is far 

 from clear, it may be truly astonishing. Even 

 in some cases when used as a kind of forlorn hope, 

 it has succeeded beyond the wildest expectations, 

 and the lucky angler has been converted at a stroke 

 into an enthusiastic dry-flyer ready to throw away 

 his assortment of wet-flies and bait-tackles ; but 

 such a pleasant experience is given to few and 

 deserved by none. 



The dry-fly can and sometimes does prove very 

 attractive, when fish are not rising or taking any 

 form of food, for the very good and sufficient reason 

 that, resembling as it does a living insect, and 

 probably one, moreover, that is well known on 

 the stream, it may arouse within a trout not any 

 distrust but rather a desire to eat. However, 

 such a reception cannot be depended upon in these 

 circumstances, and therefore, as we earnestly desire 

 the beginner to come to an honest and correct 

 conclusion regarding his new lure, we hope he will 



