INSTRUCTIONS 105 



might attempt a rule, but it would have so many 

 exceptions that the rule would be lost. Each rise 

 must be treated on its merits, and that demands a 

 lightning decision, often wrong perhaps, but some- 

 times right and frequently very lucky. In flowing 

 water we endeavour to strike as quickly as possible 

 any trout that appears under a pound in weight ; 

 with heavier fish the whole action is more gentle. 

 In still water we may have to respond at once or 

 wait for the trout, everything depends on the way 

 it comes at the fly. As a rule, heavy fish are more 

 leisurely than small ones, but even a salmon can 

 snatch so suddenly that it cannot be answered in 

 time, unless the line is stretched taut down-stream, 

 when reply is unnecessary. 



Other anglers may find these methods useless ; 

 our quickest action may be to them slow and so each 

 must for himself solve the problem of striking. 



In dry-fly fishing the rod should be held in striking 

 position, viz. about 45 to the vertical, and all 

 striking should be done from the reel. It is easier 

 to regulate a reel than it is to apply just the right 

 pressure with a finger to a line. 



While the angler must find out for himself whether 

 he is too quick or too slow on the strike, and be able 

 to come to a decision on the spur of the moment 

 regarding any particular fish, he must remember 

 that, when fishing with the dry-fly, he often knows 

 when to expect a rise. This simple fact is equivalent 

 to a gain in speed and must be taken into account. 



Many people seem to imagine that " quick " and 

 " forceful " are convertible terms. A strike should 

 never be forceful ; it must be gentle although quick, 

 and the reel should give at most but one protesting 



