FINE AND FAR-OFF FISHING 121 



distance casts, and who understands and appreciates the 

 killing qualities of the ephemeral leader and the almost 

 infinitesimal fly is in his element. And who would 

 deny that one trout taken under such conditions, by vir- 

 tue of skilled casting and fine tackle, is worth vastly 

 more than a dozen taken by chuck-and-chance-it short- 

 line casting under easier circumstances? 



It should, however, be said that the long cast, under 

 dry weather conditions, if the angler will keep himself 

 out of sight, is not so important as the use of small 

 flies and fine leaders. A friend of the writer's is a very 

 successful low-water fisherman, and yet I do not think 

 that he ever put out over forty feet of line in his life; 

 but when the stage of the water and the shyness of the 

 trout require it he invariably uses midge flies and the 

 finest of fine leaders, in the employment of which he 

 is passing skilful and keeps out of sight. I have seen 

 this angler fish through a meadow where no brush 

 screened the brook, behind two other fly-casters, and 

 come out with several good fish when the two men 

 who preceded him took nothing. Progress for the most 

 part on "hands and knees," a fine and long leader, and 

 midge flies did the trick; and, by the way, something 

 besides pile-driver methods are necessary if you would 

 rise, strike, and land a good trout on a midge. Fre- 

 quently, however, keeping out of sight is impossible, or 

 a matter of too much difficulty, and then long casting 

 is the only thing. 



In summer, during the day, pool fishing is very apt 

 to be productive. Then the trout haunt the deep, dark 

 pools, well shaded, or the reaches of equally peaceful 



