406 Fly^rods <md Fly-tackle. 



seems to confirm this view, since we all know that if a 

 trout rises, and we wish him, the fly should be cast nearly 

 or quite over him, without touching the water at any in- 

 termediate point. 



But however this may be, one thing seems certain, and 

 that is, that neither the angler nor the trout are anything 

 like as acute as is generally supposed. The wiles of the 

 former are by no means so well concealed, nor are the 

 latter so very quick to perceive them. The hook, unless 

 very small, they can always see, and the leader, when 

 within a foot or two of it. Again and again have I won- 

 dered during these experiments how was it possible ever 

 to deceive a fish, so prompt to take alarm, by a humbug 

 so transparent. 



It would seem that the most promising way to ascer- 

 tain how lines, leaders, and flies appear to the fish, is 

 that indicated in my preface. To this I call special at- 

 tention in the hope that, should I fail in the future, as I 

 have in the past, to carry out this investigation, some 

 other may do so. 



