134 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



over the fish is not unfailing. Some anglers are 

 exceedingly clever at avoiding drag. I have 

 watched a friend of mine catch fish after fish on a 

 broad Itchen shallow, where the stream varies its 

 pace in almosc every yard of its width, and where 

 my own efforts had been absolutely futile, in spite 

 of a good hatch of fly. 



This second trout, which has caused the excursion 

 on drags, invites discussion of another topic, the 

 number of casts and change of fly. The first cast 

 is of course the most important, but if it fails, a 

 second or third with the same fly may produce a 

 rise. If none of them have effect (and provided 

 that the fly has each time floated over the right 

 spot ; one sometimes makes a good many vain casts 

 before it does so), it may be assumed on most 

 waters that the fish will not take that pattern. 

 Then the novice can change it for something else 

 or seek another rising fish. Often one tries half a 

 dozen patterns before finding the right one. This 

 occupies time, and it may pay better to leave the 

 trout and go on to the next. A good deal must 

 depend on the angler's mood, the supposed size of 

 the fish, and other considerations. There is a 

 pleasant feeling of satisfaction about having secured 

 a fish by patience and trouble, but if at last it turns 

 out to be only a half-pounder, it is a question 



