26 FLY-FISHING. 



sible go out with some experienced angler, 

 and watch his movements narrowly, and 

 imitate them as well as he can. We have 

 before described the rod and line j we will 

 now endeavour to give a few precepts to be 

 observed by all who attempt this branch of 

 the art, without having a living example 

 before their eyes. 



The tyro, having provided himself with a 

 rod proportioned to his strength and the 

 breadth of the stream, must dismiss the 

 idea of a whip from his mind, and endeavour 

 to use it as a rod let him begin with the 

 line only, not putting on any flies, trying a 

 short length first, and lengthening it gra- 

 dually ; the rod should be carried gently 

 back without effort, and thrown forward 

 again when the line has reached its full 

 extent behind him 5 great care must be 

 taken in this part of the "manoeuvre/' or 

 the fly will be whipped off when he comes 

 to use one. After attaining tolerable profi- 



