A Dry -Fly Purist's Advice to a Beginner. 65 



avoided. Within an hour a brace of trout, weigh- 

 ing 2flb., is creeled. A larger one, in a favourite 

 locale at mid-day, under overhanging boughs, is 

 \\;itched, but he makes no sign or movement save 

 that of his tail to keep him in position. A 

 mental note is made that one will try for him 

 when the shadows deepen later on, an advan- 

 tage one could not count on if other rods were 

 at work. Below the glassy waterfall in the 

 bubbled, frothy turmoil, close under the apron, 

 three trout are feeding. One looks takable and 

 rises instantly to a red quill on No. 000 hook (no 

 other fly is tried all day), is hooked, and, after taking 

 a turn down-stream and giving very exciting play, 

 is netted out, weighing 1-^lb. The other two have 

 not been disturbed, and, after many throws alter- 

 nately over one and then the other, the one farthest 

 off seizes the fly, rushes under the fall, the gut is 

 felt to be rasping against a stone, and a break-away 

 follows. Two brace are now in hand. 



Luncheon comes next. On nearing the mansion 

 I interview the gardener, who tells me of sport 

 lately had by a visitor, and then he shows 

 me over his glasshouses. I stroll round the 

 park, now looking its best, adorned with stately 

 trees in their full leafy honours, and about four 

 o'clock have reached the lower portion of the back 

 stream, standing on the east bank. Not a fin is 



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