146 DRY-FLY FISHING 



of trout, of a size much above the average for 

 the water, from which we concluded that parts 

 at least of the pool were seldom, if ever, fished, 

 and that the trout had not learned to suspect 

 a floating fly. It was a curious experience casting 

 into water so much above the accustomed level, 

 and reaching up with the net for trout at the edge 

 of the overflow also presented difficulties. 



In the Clyde, a short distance above Elvanfoot, 

 where the great river is still only a small stream, 

 we once captured a beautiful pound trout, of which 

 at the time we felt extremely proud. We were 

 progressing quietly upstream, casting the dry- 

 fly at a venture, when we became aware of 

 the fish rising regularly at the tail of the next 

 pool. It occupied what we should even yet con- 

 sider a difficult position, namely the last yard of 

 a steep swelling glide immediately before the 

 break into the headlong rush. There was no 

 cover available on the bank that seemed suffi- 

 cient, and in any case it would have proved use- 

 less, because it was obvious that if we cast to 

 the trout as usual, the moment the line touched 

 the water it would sweep down the fly with a drag 

 certain to strike terror into the heart of a two- 

 year-old. 



We left the water, and after a detour entered 

 the pool far above the industrious trout. Wading 

 cautiously as deeply as we dared and crouching 

 low as we moved forward to our selected post, 

 we switched the fly across and down at the end of 

 a very slack, well-fatted line ; the gentle current 

 slowly straightened out the line, and the fly ap- 

 proached ever nearer and at increasing pace towards 



