34 FLIES AND FLY FISHING. 



places where there are no banks, but where the water 

 gradually shallows off to the beach, and in colored water 

 these places should always be tried, throw just into the 

 deep, and bring your flies round into the shallow and 

 quite close to the edge, here they must be sunk as much 

 as possible, but not worked at all. 



Striking at trout depends on the water you are fishing ; 

 in still or quietly gliding water, a quick strike should 

 always be given, not too hard, the wrist and hand should 

 move back about six inches, but in rapid streams it is not 

 advisable to strike at all, merely raise the top of the rod 

 instantaneously with a rise. Always play a fish as heavily 

 as you can with safety, on his springing out of the water,, 

 lower the hand so as just to take the strain off the line,, 

 but be on terms with him again at the moment of his 

 reaching the water. The play of a badly hooked fish is 

 very different from that of one well hooked, and can be- 

 easily distinguished. In the former case, he fights more 

 on the surface and you must allow him line if he takes it 

 himself, but do not allow him to have it too easily, else 

 the slight hold of the hook will probably work out. 

 Always get a fish into smooth water as soon as possible. 

 It seems almost superfluous to give advice on apparently 

 such a trifle as how to land a fish with, a net, and I dare 



