64 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



where we are standing, we allow them to swim down 

 a yard or two, when we cast again, never allowing 

 them to go below that part of the stream opposite 

 us. But though the angler gets over the ground as 

 quickly this way, and casts as often, as if he were 

 fishing up, yet he has not the same chance, because 

 if a trout catches sight of his flies just as he is lifting 

 them, their sudden abstraction may deter it from 

 taking them on their again alighting ; whereas in 

 fishing up the angler casts a yard or two farther up 

 every time, so that every trout may see his flies at 

 the moment they alight. 



The reader must not suppose that fishing up is 

 all that is necessary for success ; on the contrary, 

 the angler may throw his flies lip stream, and know 

 less of the art of fly-fishing, and catch fewer trout, 

 than his neighbour who is fishing down. The mere 

 fact of an angler throwing his flies up stream is no 

 proof that he is a fly-fisher. Of those who fish down 

 stream some catch more and some less, and in like 

 manner with those fishing up, one may catch three 

 times as many as another, depending upon the 

 particular method they adopt ; and unless the 

 reader pays strict attention to the details which will 

 be mentioned subsequently, we are afraid he will 

 not derive much benefit. Fishing up is much more 

 difficult than fishing down, requiring more practice, 

 and a better acquaintance with the habits of the 

 trout ; and we believe that a mere novice would, in 

 a large water, catch more trout by fishing down 

 than up, because the latter requires more nicety in 



