108 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



where he is standing than would otherwise be advis- 

 able. To cast against the wind, it is necessary to 

 use great force, and immerse a considerable portion 

 of the line in the water. If the wind is very strong, 

 it is a great nuisance, no matter which way it is 

 blowing, as it is sometimes almost impossible to 

 keep the line in the water. In such circumstances it 

 is impossible to fish the streams properly, and the 

 angler should limit his operations to the pools, and 

 should use thicker gut and a heavier casting-line, 

 which will be found a great assistance to casting. 

 It is in such a case that the thorough worthlessness 

 of a supple rod becomes apparent. 



As the trout seldom take fly readily for more than 

 four or five hours in the forenoon, you must make 

 the most of the time, fish quickly, walk over the 

 intervening ground smartly, take the trout off the 

 hook, and basket them as speedily as possible, and in 

 every way economise time. If you ever see a profes- 

 sional angler at work when the trout are taking, 

 watch him, and you will be able to form some idea 

 of how expeditiously fishing may be done. As long 

 as you are fishing, do it as if you expected a rise 

 every cast ; we have lost many a good trout in an 

 inadvertent moment. If you are tired, or the trout 

 are not taking, sit down and console yourself in some 

 way or other. A late writer upon the subject sug- 

 gests that for this purpose the angler should carry a 

 New Testament in his pocket, to which there can be 

 no possible objection, but we rather think most 

 anglers prefer spiritual consolation of a very dif- 



