356 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



ing to make a delivery, when the hand of the clock is 

 but a hair's-breadth from the hour which will mark his 

 default. The truth is we cannot, with any appliance in 

 common use in this country at all events, even approxi- 

 mate to the usual motions of a fly when upon the wa- 

 ter. We do, however, imitate somewhat the action of a 

 minnow or water-bug. Again and again has the doubt 

 intruded itself on my mind, whether trout regard the 

 artificial fly in any other light than that of a living thing 

 small enough to be eaten, without a thought as to what 

 portion of the animal kingdom it may belong. 



No living man can say, when upon unfamiliar waters, 

 what fly will prove most alluring. The greater his expe- 

 rience the more tentative does he consider his first efforts. 

 He then makes up his cast to resemble, for lack of other 

 guidance, as nearly as his facilities will permit, both in 

 size and color, those flies he may observe upon the wa- 

 ter. Failing this, he is governed by the appearance of 

 the sky and water. If it is a bright day and the water 

 is clear, he selects dark flies of small size. If the sky is 

 overcast and the water turbid or brown in color, those 

 chosen will be larger, lighter colored, and more gaudy 

 in hue. Color is a very important factor in the choice, 

 perhaps the most important. He therefore makes up his 

 cast of flies, the colors of which contrast sharply with 

 one another, until he can ascertain which best suits the 

 fickle fancy of his game. 



Therefore, for one who fishes in no fixed locality for 

 a cosmopolitan angler, so to speak a well-stocked fly- 

 book, containing many varieties and of various sizes, is 

 not at all to be decried. The veteran angler never neg- 

 lects when about to fish unknown waters, to interview 

 and question some one who has fished there, if such can 



