204 THE SCIENTIFIC AKGLER. 



upon the top of the water, exactly like a lusty insect in 

 the full enjoyment of perfect liberty. This is a much 

 more scientific way of dibbing than the one recently 

 noticed. The gut is generally used three yards long, and 

 is as fine as it is possible to draw it. The hook is small 

 and is cropped short shank; this is usually inserted be- 

 tween the wings, as in the other style of daping. Occa- 

 sionally two hooks are placed back to back, in which 

 case two flies are used, this more particulary on cold 

 windy days." 



"How about the wind? I should imagine the whole 

 thing impracticable without wind." 



"A slight breeze is certainly essential to the successful 

 working of the method; but, when too strong, a small- 

 sized split shot, attached near the foot line, acts admir- 

 ably as ballast." 



" See yonder! we have still another, type of a Drake 

 fisherman. His method is more difficult to practice, but 

 it it is more scientific, and is generally more successful. 

 Mark how carefully he measures the distance requisite to 

 reach the rising fish, that now forms the focus upon 

 which his entire attention is fixed. He is evidently a 

 more than ordinarily skillful fly-rodster. Observe how 

 carefully he keeps away from the river's edge, casting 

 dexterously within an inch or two of the rising fish." 



"Is he not rather circumspect in his use of the rod?" 



"He is casting the live fly, and that careful swing 

 round from the left to the right is absolutely requisite to 

 retain the fly upon the hook. Were not due care and 

 caution paid to this the fly would continually be flipped 

 off, and nothing but bare hooks presented to the fish. It 

 must not be forgotten that 



4 Though gudgeons strike 

 At the bare hook and bait alike, 

 The wily trout regardless lie, 

 Till art like nature sends the fly.' 



