UP THE RIVER 283 



shortest of lines and instead reach the desired goal 

 by cautious approach, crouching behind a boulder 

 or tuft of grass or even by wading if no cover is 

 available. A long line floating on the surface, as it 

 is almost certain to be moving at a rate different 

 from that of the fly, makes effective striking 

 impossible, while it likewise makes a rise extremely 

 improbable by reason of its retarding or accelerating 

 effect on the lure. 



The lightest of [summer zephyrs fails to disturb 

 the calm surface, but still we think it not unlikely 

 that a willing trout awaits under the shadow of the 

 bank. For the occasion we select a little Greenwell 

 Quill, though we would be equally contented to test 

 the seductive powers of a Black Spider. With an 

 underhand cast we flick the fly lightly to the very 

 edge, but there is not an answering dimple through- 

 out the entire journey up the pool. 



Now we arrive at the entering stream ; a stone 

 projecting above the surface breaks it into two 

 portions just where it comes sweeping round its 

 final bend. We search both branches in turn, but 

 without result, and then stop to study how we shall 

 lay the fly beyond the stone. 



It is a difficult cast ; not an inch of line must 

 touch the water, the fly has only a second in which 

 to float free and naturally, but if a trout is at home, 

 that length of time will suffice. Risking everything, 

 even the loss of the whole stream, we place the fly 

 on the grassy bank ; the cast hangs clear above the 

 water ; by hand we give a gentle twitch to the line ; 

 good luck attends and the fly falls softly to its goal. 

 At the same moment, all unsuspecting, a trout rises 

 to meet it and takes it down. The captive strives 



