116 FLOATING FLIES 



first suggestion of the strike of the trout, is at 

 a premium; it would seem that when casting the 

 dry fly the strike should be timed just a bit 

 slower in the majority of instances, although 

 when floating the fly down a swift run one can 

 hardly strike too promptly. 



To avoid drowning the fly when fishing 

 " up " in a fair current the line must be stripped 

 in gradually and with the greatest care ; at the 

 same time it is well to take up every inch pos- 

 sible that there' may not be too much slack to 

 straighten out in the event of a rise. Striking 

 should be done from the wrist and with strict 

 avoidance of anything like a sudden jerk which 

 will almost surely snap the fine leader if a 

 heavy fish has taken the fly or possibly tear 

 out the hook if the fish is hooked lightly; the 

 motion should be smooth, swift and even, and 

 it must cease at once when the barb has gone 

 home. 



PLAYING A TROUT 



As a rule when fishing with the dry fly the 

 fish will be upstream from the angler when 

 hooked. If possible keep him there. In the 

 majority of instances the trout will bore up- 

 stream, or angle upstream to one side or the 



