54 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



county to county, and kill trout wherever they are 

 to be found. 



One advantage fly-fishing possesses above any other 

 mode is, that it is equally applicable to all waters, 

 be they silent lakes, slow-running rivers, or roaring 

 streams, rendering it the most valuable of all lures 

 to the angler. In the first chapter of this volume, 

 it was mentioned that at least twelve pounds weight 

 of trout might be captured almost any day during 

 the angling season, and for three months it is by fly 

 alone that this must be accomplished. There are 

 few anglers aware of the service the artificial fly is 

 capable of rendering if properly used. James Baillie, 

 whom we have already introduced to the reader, but 

 whose hazel rod and string tied to the top of it were 

 familiar to all those in the habit of frequenting 

 Leader or Gala, maintained himself and family from 

 March to November by fly-fishing exclusively. We 

 believe this notable person killed on an average from 

 twelve to fourteen pounds at each excursion, and, 

 being in delicate health, he only fished for four or 

 five hours a day. If our amateur friends had to make : 

 their living by fly-fishing, there are few of them we 

 would care for dining with often. 



Besides being the most attractive and valuable, 

 artificial fly-fishing is the most difficult branch of 

 the angler's art, and this is another reason of the 

 preference accorded to it, since there is more merit, 

 and therefore more pleasure, in excelling in what is 

 difficult. An opinion, however, has of late years 

 been gaining ground, that worm-fishing in a clear 



