igo DRY-FLY FISHING 



On the river, a calm day need not trouble the 

 inexpert caster very much, as he may ignore the 

 placid pools and confine his efforts to the streams 

 and broken water. He has less reason for dissatis- 

 faction at his performance, for the rippling current 

 hides from him his deficiencies ; the trout may 

 object to his clumsiness, but, as he is generally 

 unaware of it, he is able to carry on, although 

 agreeable response is delayed. Sometimes the fly 

 will fall softly, occasionally before the eyes of a 

 willing fish, but there is not the least doubt 

 that even the slightest of upstream breezes would 

 give him the greatest assistance. 



Some anglers may prefer a calm to a downstream 

 wind, but we most decidedly do not, except when 

 the fish are rising very well. We object to walk 

 from stream to stream, omitting the long flats and 

 pools where, on a familiar river, we have had fine 

 sport on other days, or where, on a new water, we 

 are sure that good trout lie in wait ; and that is 

 what we feel constrained to do if the smooth surface 

 of the water remains undisturbed by wind or feeding 

 fish. If, however, a downstream wind causes a 

 ripple, we can fish contentedly enough between the 

 streams, even although no rise is in progress. 



To put a fly straight across a strong wind calls 

 for very little skill in the manipulation of the rod, 

 therefore no matter from what direction the breeze 

 comes, good casting and successful fishing are both 

 easily possible. The angler faced with a down- 

 stream breeze should cast across it, and work his 

 way gradually upwards. We have already pointed 

 out the extreme deadliness of this cast in quick- 

 flowing water, and again we give the warning that 



