60 Ury-Fly Fulling. 



extreme view of the situation when I venture to 

 express my deliberate opinion, as placed at the 

 beginning of this chapter. And I crave the indul- 

 gence of my readers in making the following 

 remarks and giving some reasons for the bold 

 assertion, premising that they are the outcome of 

 my own extensive practice with the dry-fly, and 

 that they are not put forward in any presumptuous 

 or dogmatic spirit, nor in the least attempting to 

 gauge the minds of others on the subject. Indeed, 

 I may frankly admit that among my angling friends 

 few lay so much stress on the absolute advantage of 

 fishing without a companion or attendant as I do, 

 but, then, I include all the peaceful and charming 

 accessories of the surroundings. 



But except in rare instances, where on private 

 water only one rod is permitted by the owner at a 

 time, it is often out of the question to have a 

 fishery to oneself, therefore men, keen as each other 

 for expected sport, must meet occasionally ; it 

 cannot be avoided. In that case, to follow one 

 another, taking turns to try over moving fish, is a mild 

 insanity, and, intheend, annoying and nerve -upsetting 

 altogether unsatisfactory to both parties. They 

 should, therefore, at the initial stage, arrange to 

 part company at once. If both banks are available, 

 it is easy; the second comer should, as an act of 

 courtesy, be offered his choice, but if his modesty 



