Flies and Fly-fishing. 359 



region of Maine. I dwell somewhat at length on the, as 

 I believe, proper method of fishing there, at least for large 

 fish : first, because I think it the best readily accessible 

 fishing country; and secondly, because from my own 

 personal observation it seems not generally known to, 

 or at any rate practised by, many of the anglers who 

 visit its waters. The local guides are accustomed to the 

 society of gentlemen, and have, as a general rule, gentle- 

 manly instincts. They are usually anxious to please their 

 temporary employers, and spare no pains to afford them 

 the best possible sport. Ignorant how great their confi- 

 dence may be in their own skill, as well as in what spirit 

 suggestion may be received, they make it an invariable 

 rule never to comment in any way on the manner in 

 which they fish, except in response to a direct question. 

 Even then their answers are couched in terms so modest 

 as not always to have the weight they deserve. 



It is not to be forgotten that these men possess powers 

 of observation sharpened by constant exercise from their 

 earliest boyhood. Year after year, from the beginning 

 of each open season to its end, and upon almost every- 

 day of the season, fly-fishing is constantly going on in 

 their presence. Their employers frequently change. 

 They see not only the methods employed by the many 

 gentlemen they may happen to be with from time to 

 time, but also those used by the sportsmen employing 

 their comrades, and when off duty these are frequent 

 subjects of conversation among them. Thus they are 

 familiar with every phase of the art, have seen each 

 practically tested, and know its value. As might be sup- 

 posed, they are all skilled anglers. 



He who had passed one entire season in daily fishing 

 in that locality, would believe himself, and others would 



