THE DRY-FLY SEASON 221 



natural minnow is without a rival as a means of 

 luring trout, but, that period past, the floating 

 fly is almost as eagerly accepted as the more sub- 

 stantial bait. It is difficult to know when the fly 

 should be tried, especially if no hatch or rise occurs 

 to provide a guide, but the time comes always 

 sooner than one would expect, and that is some sort 

 of indication. 



While yet the water sucks at the grasses of the 

 bank, the dry-fly should be laid close to the edge 

 of the near side, and allowed to come down a yard 

 or two before being sent forth again. Long-casting 

 is quite unnecessary and even fatal ; but, as the 

 waters continue to fall, and the gravel begins to 

 shine through, the fly may be sent farther and farther 

 towards mid-stream and beyond. 



Under different conditions the angler must be 

 prepared to indulge in the art of trout-stalking, 

 and many days full of interest he should be enabled 

 to spend. If unwilling to put himself to so much 

 trouble, he may find all the sport he requires at 

 eventide. For the period about sunset, the Blue 

 Hen Spider and the Red Quill are the best flies, 

 but for the gloaming rise few patterns can compare 

 with the Corncrake and Cinnamon Sedges. A 

 breath of wind and a hatch of flies are the two 

 main requirements. If the water is calm, he 

 should not lose confidence, but rather acquire 

 it. He should place his fly at once on the rise, 

 and he will immediately be engaged with a fighting 

 fish. 



But July is the time to visit the hill-loch. In 

 the cool of the morning we face the arduous climb 

 through the bracken and the heather ; on the 



