256 FLY FISHING 



to be watching for the least hint of the approach 

 of an angler; and even when the angler succeeds 

 in concealing himself, they fly from the sight 

 of the rod, or the gut however quietly it is 

 put before them. All these things make burn 

 fishing an interesting and delicate sport. The 

 drawback to it is that the constant stooping 

 and crawling become so much harder as years 

 go on. Joints ache and crack, and the con- 

 tinual effort of keeping a stiff and full-grown 

 body out of sight is difficult and painful. Some 

 of the crouching may be avoided by using a 

 long rod, but amongst bushes and trees a long 

 rod is an awkward instrument, and one cannot 

 guide the line so accurately amongst the branches. 

 To dodge bushes and leaves and twigs success- 

 fully, the angler must use a short stiff rod and 

 a short line. He can then not only guide the 

 line and drop the worm more accurately with 

 the rod, but after fishing each place can catch 

 the end of the short line with one hand, while 

 still holding the rod with the other, and so make 

 his way through the trees to the next pool, 

 without having to put the rod down and alter 

 the length of the line. A well wooded burn 



