Preface. vii 



do greater things in it, and derive greater pleasure 

 from doing them. 



The instructions offered regarding the dressing 

 of the artificial flies are based on the practical 

 experience of years, and are directed towards 

 securing in each case as perfect an imitation of 

 the natural prototype as materials and skill can 

 produce. In this connection I have endeavoured 

 to meet the arguments of those who hold that a 

 close imitation of the natural insect is not only 

 unattainable in any appreciable degree, but, even 

 if it could be attained, would be both unnecessary 

 for all the purposes of the angler, and inimical to 

 his success. Whether I have entirely succeeded 

 in theoretically demonstrating the unsoundness of 

 these views, I will not presume to say ; for failure 

 in this, as in other pleas, may be due quite as much 

 to a poor advocate as to a bad cause, and it has 

 been my fate all life long to deal more in experi- 

 mental tests than in logical proofs. But the facts 

 are against them; and if my friendly opponents 

 will permit me to choose as our weapon the rod in 

 place of the pen, I shall be quite prepared to pit 

 my practice against their theory, and stake my 

 reputation as an angler on the result. 



