DRY FLY FISHING 53 



look for a rise, but look also for the fish, and 

 many a trout will be discovered lying on the 

 watch for flies before it is actually seen to take 

 one. There is not much difficulty in telling by 

 its attitude in the water, whether a trout is worth 

 trying for. Between the appearance of a trout 

 that is resting motionless and dull upon the 

 bottom, and one that is poised in the water near 

 the surface, there is all the difference in the 

 world; the very attitude of the latter, still as 

 it may be for the moment, seems to have some- 

 thing watchful and lively about it. 



In June the trout should be at their very 

 best and strongest, and the angler should be 

 ambitious and go to the water, where he knows 

 there are large ones, to match his skill and his 

 fine gut against them in bright weather. Many 

 a big trout will be seen, risen, and hooked, but 

 the weeds as well as the fish are strong now, 

 and where two-pounders are common and taking 

 well, there are sure to be catastrophes in a long 

 day's fishing. On the other hand, except on 

 very unlucky days, what triumphs there are! 

 what moments of suspense as the fly is floating 

 to the place where one feels sure, either from 



