A Dry -Fly Purist's Advice to a Beginner. 67 



broad water near, and withal played from a split 

 cane rod lift. long. But he tried all his wiles 

 before he gave in and lay gasping at my feet the 

 best fish of the day, scaling 21b., and making up a 

 sufficient bag of four brace. It will be admitted 

 that this is perfect sport that the sense of quiet 

 enjoyment, freedom from all restraint or interruption, 

 is delightful, spirit-stirring, and refining, especially 

 if one can realise that 



This is not solitude, but 'tis to hold 

 Converse with Nature's charms and view her stores 

 unrolled. 



But, of course, it is too much to expect enough of it 

 by favour of generous friends, or even wish it. 

 Therefore, the better course of all is to rent a fishery 

 outright, in order to experience what is meant by 

 Walton's distinction given to angling as " the 

 contemplative man's recreation." One's holding 

 need not be extensive if the water be fairly well 

 stocked. Half a mile of both banks should suffice 

 for an expert, as he would have the option of fishing 

 the late evening rise from the east bank to the 

 opposite one while the water between remained 

 lighted up by the reflection of the after-glow of 

 sunset. Or, if a mile of one bank only can be 

 secured, a more extended environment would be 

 some compensation for the restriction, and one 

 would be able to offer a friend a day or two ; but 



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