FLY-FISHING FOR TROUT 11$ 



the fly in this style must be cast np stream, not 

 down, and be allowed to float until, it approaches 

 the feet of the angler. This is a deadly style of 

 fishing ; but the flies must be small, and require 

 to be made with large wings, and sometimes it is 

 advisable to use double wings ; that is, two slips 

 for each wing instead of one. 



The ordinary way of fly-fishing is, however, to 

 cast the fly down stream and across, drawing it 

 up with slightly jerking motion. This motion ex- 

 pands and contracts the fibres of the fly, and gives 

 a semblance of life, as if the insect struggled to 

 be free ; and this movement, of course, goes far 

 to hide the fraud on the fish. In dry-fly fishing 

 this movement is not made, but the fly is allowed 

 to float quite without movement ; and is neces- 

 sarily, therefore, of much closer imitation, that 

 is, to be successful. Personally, I am an advo- 

 cate of the " exact imitation " theory, and be- 

 lieve that all imitations should be as close as 

 possible. This is, however, a refinement into 

 which the boy-angler need not be led. 



Down-stream fishing is certainly easier to prac- 

 tise, and the task of casting is much facilitated by 

 the downward and therefore pulling action of the 

 water. 



