FLY FISHING FOE TROUT AND GRAYLING. 145 



from under wing ; wings, two tippets, a couple of jungle 

 cock's hackles, with a topping over all. 



CHAPTER XII. 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING.* 



ATTRACTIONS OF SURFACE FISHING; THE ROD, LINE, AND WINCH; 

 CASTING, STRIKING, PLAYING, AND LANDING; THE WET AND 

 DRY FLY SYSTEMS ; BROOK FISHING ; METEOROLOGICAL EF- 

 FECTS ON SPORT ; NIGHT FISHING ; THE DOVE. 



The superiority of the art of Fly-fishing over all other 

 systems of angling is universally acknowledged. The 

 ever-exciting nature of surface fishing adds a zest to the 

 sport, unknown to the other branches of the art pisca- 

 torial. The high pitch of expectation experienced as the 

 rising fish daintily " plop "off the insects around, ex- 

 tends a highly exhilarating influence over both mind and 

 body. The whole of the faculties are thus concentrated 

 in one focus, ever stimulating to still greater earnestness 

 and efficiency. It is owing to these characteristics, this 

 scope for science and skill, that this sport is and has 

 been the chosen recreation of men of the greatest celeb- 

 rity and the highest attainments of modern times. Since 

 the time of Walton the angler's skill has advanced won- 

 drously, whilst keenness of perception and wariness have 

 developed amongst the denizens of the liquid element in 

 a degree quite proportionate. The well educated inhab- 

 itants of the classic streams of the Midlands and of the 

 south, the former clear from the limestone district of the 



* We commend this chapter to the careful reading of American 

 anglers. 



7 



