FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 153 



upon a lawn or any closely-cut turf. Line to the length 

 of the rod should first be delivered efficiently and neatly, 

 when a hat should be placed as the receptacle of the fly; 

 after the distances have been lengthened at intervals a 

 tumbler may be substituted, and finally a small wine 

 glass. AVhen these different exercises have been success- 

 fully accomplished, with a fair length of line, the rodster 

 may safely try his hand upon the bosom of the watery 

 element. Lightness and precision follow practice and 

 experience. The exercise of casting into a floating wal- 

 nut shell is a feat, the accomplishment of which, at a 

 distance of not less than a dozen yards, betokens a fair 

 degree of proficiency and precision in casting.* 



In fly-fishing the ever changing geological bearings, 

 the varying meteorological influences, the position of 

 trees and other impediments, necessitate a constant 

 change of tactics in order to reach the feeding fish, who, 

 as they become more schooled, take up the most inacces- 

 sible and secluded positions. Although some streams are 

 comparatively narrow, it is not always incumbent upon, 

 or advisable for the fisherman to take up his stand upon 

 the verge of the water. "To fish fine and far off," as 

 Cotton, the father of all fly-fishers expresses it, is infi- 

 nitely better whenever practicable. Broken water should 

 be chosen by the novice to commence upon, as while fish 

 are extracted by him from the rapids, and purling 

 streams, etc., the slower running and still waters may 

 prove beyond his attainments. 



After precision and lightness of execution are attained, 

 the casting distance should next be extended, and upon 

 this point we may briefly say that more depends upon 

 the line and rod than, generally speaking, upon the rod- 

 ster. With an unusually light and stiff rod it is often a 



* "Accuracy and delicacy " are awarded first place by English fly-cast- 

 ers; "distance" second. This fact should be borne in mind by the 

 future managers of American Casting Tournaments. 



