WET FLY TROUT FISHING 133 



and what first attracts attention are likely bits of 

 water. Some corner or bit of stream will catch 

 the eye, and stir a keenness which makes one 

 impatient of preliminary things that have to be 

 done. It is a right and happy thing to linger 

 over a walk or drive to the river on such a 

 morning ; but be the weather what it may, there 

 is no added pleasure to be gained by spending 

 time over putting on waders. An angler cannot 

 even take pride in the way he does this as he 

 may in the care with which he tests his tackle 

 and ties his knots. When all is ready I like to 

 stand either in the water or on a level with it. 

 Besides the increased risk of being seen by the 

 fish it always seems to me in trout fishing that 

 the work is not so well done if the angler is 

 standing much above the water, and that he casts 

 better, fishes better, and strikes better when more 

 nearly on a level. It is of course possible to 

 cast a longer line from a height, but it is not 

 possible to fish so well with a very long line 

 as with one of moderate length. 



And now perhaps for some time not very 

 many trout are hooked. If only a few trout of 

 average size for the river, and in good condition, 



