170 FLY-FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 



the rudiments of the art have been acquired ; a 

 non-observer of these is sure to materially interfere 

 with sport. Perseverance is all very well in its place, 

 but when unaided by the exercise of due care and 

 tact in presenting the lure, it will meet with small 

 result. The tyro should therefore practise assiduously, 

 ever bearing in mind that much as he may admire 

 and aspire to a nearer acquaintance with the scaly 

 beauties, they are coy and ungrateful. The instant 

 they become aware of his paying them the least 

 attention, they move contemptuously away ; and no 

 matter how lovingly he drops them a line, all further 

 correspondence is thanklessly declined. It behoves 

 him therefore to keep out of sight as much as 

 possible, never allowing the sun to extend his shadow 

 across the stream, always also avoiding conspicuously 

 bright clothing ; for notwithstanding the naturalist's 

 persistent assertions as to the dulness of the eyes of 

 fish, owing, it is affirmed, to the skin of the head 

 covering the pupil of the eye, the trout fisher knows 

 very well that in their own element they habitually 

 exercise the most keen and discriminating powers of 

 vision, when the water is clear ; and any moving or 

 brightly-coloured objects outside it attract their 

 attention. In order to deal comprehensively with 

 our subject, for the more especial edification of the 

 tyro, we shall proceed to allude in detail to the leading 

 items already referred to as being essential to success, 

 v i z> : Casting the Fly, Playing or Landing, and 

 Killing a fish. Before doing so however, the ne- 

 cessary appliances must engage our attention. 



