Fish and Fishing 



fly does), and then take it away again without going 

 under water. The use of dry fly-fishing may be 

 brought in play for any of the trout and charr, 

 if the water is suitable. It is, of course, more val- 

 uable late in the season, when the water is low 

 and the sun bright. Dry fly-fishing should not be 

 attempted by any but expert casters; the tyro had 

 better be content with wet-fishing, which, to do 

 thoroughly, requires many years' study and prac- 

 tice; indeed, it is quite sufficient for all the streams 

 I know, and they are many. English streams 

 where the art is practised most are the Test and 

 Itchen rivers. The water is slow, deep, and very 

 clear; they are over-fished and the trout are 

 pretty scarce. 



CASTING THE FLY 



FOR TROUT 



Casting the fly for trout is the most delicate and 

 refined art in the range of sport. The quickest and 

 best way to become proficient is to use patience, 

 and observe an experienced fly caster on the 

 stream. First, bear in mind that the rod has to do 

 far more work than the arm; in fact the arm, ex- 

 cept in very long or peculiar casts, does very little. 

 In preparatory practice the novice should have a 

 six-foot leader on which is tied a single small hook ; 

 attach to the hook a small piece of white rag, an 

 inch square, fold iton the hook over the barb, then 

 draw about eight yards of line off the reel, and 

 196 



