100 SIXKlMi AM) WORKING. 



from casting directly up-stream, he should cast across and 

 as well up as he can, and still let the fly float down mil iJ 

 it becomes a tight line extended straight below him down- 

 stream. But even then he should work up-stream if 

 possible. But to cast down-stream and work the fly uj> 

 against it is not fly-fi&lung. I do not, however, deny that 

 plenty of fish may be killed so, but the number and size 

 will be heavily in favour of up- or cross-stream fishing. 

 If the angler must fish down-stream he should still cast 

 across and let the fly drift down, and if he must cast 

 straight down let him cast rather short, keeping the rod 

 pretty upright when the line is delivered ; and as soon as 

 the fly alights on the water, he can, by dropping the point 

 as low as is convenient, still allow his fly to drop down- 

 stream. If, however, he will cast down and draw up he 

 will find it pay better, if having made his cast he lets the 

 fly sink some inches under water, even to mid-water if he 

 pleases, and then works it by gently rising and falling the- 

 top of the rod. It will then be taken for a larva, spider, 

 or some other water insect, and he will thus improve his 

 chance of sport. Indeed, I have known very good fisher- 

 men fish so, and take very good fish. 



Here is another wrinkle. To fish a stream to the best 

 advantage in this way the angler should pick out a toler- 

 ably rapid one, get above it, and cast into the head of it, 

 sinking and working his fly, and as he does so he should 

 gradually foot by foot let out line ; and in this way, with- 

 out moving, he may fish down a run thirty or forty yards 

 in length, and probably some very good fish will reward 

 his efiforts ; but he will have to wort them up against the 

 stream and not let them go down, and he must strike at 

 the slightest touch, for he will not see his rises. In fishing 

 down, as the line is always tight, the angler must be very 

 careful not to strike too hard. The lightest touch is 

 enough, and a sharp stroke will part the tackle to a 



