5 6 FLY-FISHING. 



generally), set nearly back to back, and pointing 

 upwards and outwards ; and secondly, its body, 

 which is composed almost entirely of materials 

 unabsorbent of water, such as mohair and hackles. 

 The method of using the dry-fly on the Stour 

 and a few other rivers, where its use is best under- 

 stood, is very peculiar. A large fish, say, is known 

 to inhabit some particular hole or eddy. The spot 

 is watched by the angler until he sees the fish 

 rising, and then the fly is cast so as to fall a foot 

 or two above him, and allowed to float (dry) 

 passively over him. On the fly becoming wet, 

 which happens after every cast, it is dried by being 

 rapidly thrown to and fro, or " spread" in the air, 

 when it is ready for another cast ; but this is 

 seldom made until the rise of a fish is seen, or his 

 haunt known. Some fishermen who use the dry- 

 fly consider it is not properly dried without a little 

 crack or " flick" taking place at the end of the 

 spread ; but this " flick," though doubtless very 

 artistic, often whips off the fly. A stiff rod with 

 a tolerably pliant top is the best for the purpose. 

 The dry-fly being presented to the fish in the same 

 way as the natural fly, is most killing when the 

 particular natural fly imitated (which is commonly 

 the May-fly) is on the water. Smaller flies are 



