112 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. 



To USE THE NATURAL FLY. 



Assuming the angler is in all readiness 

 and the boat in a favourite "drift," impale 

 a brace of "drakes" on the hook, and thus 

 with about five or six yards of line out hold 

 the rod in an upright position, and with 

 the wind at your back it will drift the line 

 straight out. Then, when fully extended, 

 lower your rod top and the flies will alight 

 on the surface of the water just like the 

 oft-quoted thistle-down. When a rise is 

 observed, or the flies are sucked down, the 

 merest tightening of the line is sufficient to 

 send the hook home. It must, therefore, 

 always be borne in mind that when using 

 delicate tackle it is quite unnecessary to 

 strike. 



When a fish is hooked, he will rush, then 

 probably plunge out of the water. If this 

 be so, the rod top must be instantly lowered 

 until he regains his own element. Every 

 care must be taken in playing a loch trout, 



