io6 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



be able to pounce upon any edible thing that 

 comes within their sight ; that is to say, they like a 

 position close to but not in an extra swift piece of 

 water, for in such a place will most food be washed 

 down. If the novice bears these things in mind he 

 will very soon acquire what is called an " eye for 

 water." With that and the easily gained facility in 

 handling his weapons, there is no reason why, on 

 water which is not absolutely fished out, he should 

 not in favourable circumstances kill his dozen fish 

 in a day, with possibly a bigger basket as an 

 occasional triumph. 



Personally, I always fish up stream in the manner 

 described if it is at all possible, but sometimes it is 

 not possible, especially in big rivers whose current 

 may be too strong for wading, except in a down- 

 ward direction. (In crossing a river, by the way, 

 it is always safer to wade diagonally to a point well 

 below the starting place ; the chance of losing one's 

 balance is much less when one is going with the 

 stream.) In fishing down stream one casts 

 diagonally, across, lets the flies float down as far as 

 the length of line will permit, and then holds the 

 rod still while they sweep round into a straight 

 line with one, keeping them there for a few seconds, 

 as a fish will often rise at the last moment. An 

 impetuous trout will practically hook himself, but 



