ATTRACTIONS OF FLY-FISHING. 59 



being stronger there is less risk of its breaking. 

 Fly-fishing is also the cleanest and most elegant 

 and gentlemanly of all the methods of capturing 

 trout. The angler who practises it is saved the 

 trouble of working with worms, of catching, keep- 

 ing alive, and salting minnows, or searching the 

 river's banks for the natural insect. Armed with 

 a light single-handed rod and a few flies, he may 

 wander from county to county, and kill trout wher- 

 ever they are to be found. 



One advantage fly-fishing possesses above any 

 other mode is, that it is equally applicable to all 

 waters, be they silent lakes, slow-running rivers, 

 or roaring streams, rendering it the most valuable 

 of all lures to the angler. In the first chapter of 

 this volume, it was mentioned that at least twelve 

 pounds weight of trout might be captured almost 

 any day during the angling season, and for three 

 months it is by fly alone that this must be accom- 

 plished. There are few anglers aware of the service 

 the artificial fly is capable of rendering if properly 

 used. James Baillie, whom we have already intro- 

 duced to the reader, but whose hazel rod and string 

 tied to the top of it were familiar to all those in 

 the habit of frequenting Leader or Gala, maintained 

 himself and family from March to November by 

 fly-fishing exclusively. We believe this notable 

 person killed on an average from twelve to fourteen 

 pounds at each excursion, and, being in delicate 

 health, he only fished for four or five hours a day. 



