140 DRY-FLY FISHING 



In summer, when the streams become low and 

 the stones assume their slimy slippery deposit, 

 wading is far from comfortable, and every step 

 must be carefully undertaken, but we forget all 

 troubles whenever a good July trout sucks down 

 the floating fly and splashes wildly about, while we 

 inelegantly scramble towards the bank, the better to 

 answer its wiles. 



The numerous drains, that bring water from the 

 hills to lochs and reservoirs, form traps for the 

 unwary angler. Usually they are cut far into the 

 still water, and generally they are filled up with 

 soft mud ; it is easy for him to see and avoid them, 

 when he is not intent upon other things ; but 

 a trout, rising just out of reach down the bank, 

 may hasten his steps, and a drain may stop them 

 with unpleasant suddenness. Still, we all take risks 

 gladly, and it is wonderful how often our eyes 

 happen to look downwards just when they should ; 

 we shudder, and retire, and carry on again. 



Waders may prove useful in unexpected ways. 

 They may enable the angler, for example, to retrieve 

 a fly, the killing pattern perhaps and the only 

 one in his possession, consequently of infinitely 

 greater value than all the remainder of his varied 

 collection if, by some momentary awkwardness, 

 or by an unlucky cast in a place bristling with 

 difficulties, it should be firmly hung up. Again 

 they may be the means of securing for him a goodly 

 trout firmly hooked and almost beaten which, 

 in its final burst for liberty, contrived to get to 

 weed, a trout that may prove to be his record fish. 



We know no disadvantage in waders ; they are 

 hot, heavy and uncomfortable, but we are quite 



