NOTES OH THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 205 



The rodster before us is an adept at this particular 

 branch of the art of fly-fishing. His rod is very pliable, 

 as is necessary; and provided his gut and tackle are of 

 the finest description, he will do some execution before 

 night-fall." 



Whilst we have been taking observations the fish have 

 turned out from their hidden haunts and sheltered 

 nooks, attracted by the ever-increasing show of May-flies, 

 which flutter upon the surface of the water. Without 

 waiting to see the luck of our ideal rodster, we hasten 

 onwards until our favorite swim is reached. Here the 

 tackle is speedily arranged, fine double hooks mounted 

 back to back upon the finest stained gut, being attached 

 to the extremity of our treble X fine lashes. A live Drake 

 is now placed upon the larger or uppermost of the two 

 hooks, the hook being inserted in one side of the haunch 

 forming the shoulder, which will admit of its maintain- 

 ing a natural position when thrown into the water. And 

 now we commence. 



But stay! your rod being not made specially for the 

 purpose, will be found too stiff and difficult to use success- 

 fully. We must first remedy this little, though serious 

 matter. This small piece of fine lead wire will work the 

 oracle if rolled round the tip of the top. " There, how 

 does that feel ? Eather limpy ? Take an inch or so of 

 wire off then. Now it is all right, everything that could 

 be wished, in fact. Now let's at it! Bring round the 

 rod over the left shoulder, taking especial care not to 

 whisk, or whip off the fly. Now that was done very 

 nicely indeed, and if it only had reached that fish over 

 there, it would doubtless have been appreciated, as it in 

 all justice deserved. Again, 'up he comes.' Strike! 

 Right! You have him this time; ' handle him gently, 

 treat him with care' slightly parodying Tom Hood. 

 Take him a little below there to the shallow, and land 

 him, or he will damage our sport hereabouts. That was 



