16 CASTINGAS A BEGINNER. 



little runnels of gurgling water found their way 

 under the fir logs. Choosing a hackled blue 

 upright the shape, size, and side-bend of which 

 satisfied in every way I watched the water 

 intently. 



At about 8.15 the rise began, one two three 

 fish, nice quiet pooly rises which promised all 

 things. Selecting a fish which had three times 

 taken down something from the same square 

 inch of water I made a cast and never did a 

 fly pitch more softly in the intended spot. It 

 was untouched and it floated slowly down over 

 the place where fish number two had just 

 risen. This process was repeated quietly, and 

 all the time both these and a full dozen of 

 other fish were rising in the same determined 

 manner, yet not one of them would even see 

 the blue upright. I changed the fly to winged 

 olive, smaller pattern, and again made some 

 thirty casts. I changed again : without avail. 

 The last train went by in the distance (8.45) 

 and still not a touch. Then without rhyme or 

 reason I was taken ; a severe prick, tug and 

 gone. After that the rise continued for another 

 twenty minutes and yet not a touch. I tell 

 you it was maddening. No jumping out of 

 water or bulging but a steady suck down each 

 moment by good fish who seemed to have lost 

 their heads with gnawing hunger. It was like 

 being the victim of a nightmare. 



Soon after nine the fish rose less; but still 

 they continued at intervals real lumpers for 

 that water literally asking to be hooked and 



