A Dry -Fly Purist's Advice to a Beginner. 9 



probably he observes you, his enemy, standing near 

 the eddy, and vainly he tries to take a turn round 

 the roots of a yellow iris ; but the strain of the rod 

 soon after five minutes' play is too much for him 

 he turns on his side and quietly comes to net. 

 You are trembling with excitement as you lift him 

 out. A prize indeed ! your first with the dry-fly 

 lure, and proving you an apt scholar. Two smart 

 taps on the head just over the brain-pan make the 

 victim's fins quiver and the mouth gape and remain 

 open. A real beauty you say, as you strut round 

 him admiringly, while really you feel as proud of 

 this success as you ever did in your life over far 

 more important ones. Of course you make a guess 

 at and overestimate his weight, but the steelyard 

 indicates it is 2 Jib. 



Cover him over with dock leaves and flowers and 

 leave him hidden in the sedge while you return to 

 the place where you left your creel ; take the landing 

 net and rod with you, as haply on your way you may 

 notice some fish rising and may get another chance. 

 The creel is there all right, and, resting the rod 

 against the gate, you sit on its top rail and proceed 

 to refresh the inner man with the good things 

 provided for luncheon. 



It is high noon, and you feel supremely happy 

 at peace with all the world, free and oblivious of all 

 your little ailments and petty worries. And 



