EXPERIENCES WITH "BOB* n 



and found a particular fly taking, he always had 

 something on his list that he knew from long experi- 

 ence would serve all the purposes of delusive 

 imitation. 



Frequently, during the whole of that first real 

 fishing season, I met him on the water, and found 

 that, with certain variations, all the old April maxims 

 held good. We talked together, between the 

 reaches, of these variations, such as the greater 

 difficulty of keeping the line straight in the strong 

 running water, and the advantages on this count to 

 be found in a still further shortening of the line; 

 the greater strength of the fish, and the ways of 

 striking and handling them, etc. He would say, 

 ' Throw " (that is cast) " with yer hand, but feel 

 wi' yer fingers, tighten at once and up wi' t' point 

 o' yer rod. Doan't be freetened o' giyen them t' 

 butt and git them into yer pannier befoor they can 

 git off." 



As the season advanced he was a strong advocate 

 of casting often and fishing fast, but not of hurrying, 

 and would say, " They'll be off and on mair noo." 

 This meant that when they were on the most had 

 to be made of the time. " Ye mun mak good use o' 

 yer time. When they're off, sit ye doon, and git 

 riddy for another start." 



At such times he examined his cast carefully, but 



