SURFACE OR FLY FISHING. 23 



is, however, another method of daping, called " blow-line 

 fishing," which is employed in the open, away from 

 bushes. In this case, of course, the angler has to stand 

 at a distance from the fish. To this end a long rod is 

 generally employed, often from eighteen to twenty-two 

 feet long. A piece of line called the blow line, and made 

 of the lightest floss silk, and about twice the length of 

 the rod, is employed; to the lower end is fastened a liiik 

 or two of fine gut, and a light hook. The fly, usually a 

 Mayfly (or even two), is put on the hook, the rod held 

 upright, the angler having his back to the wind; as 

 soon as the line is released it is carried by the wind away 

 from the angler; and when well extended over the 

 water, the fisherman lowers the point of the rod until 

 the flies fall upon the surface of the water some 

 distance away, where they are allowed to drift naturally 

 over the fish. In this way the angler can cover a fish 

 seventeen or eighteen or more yards away from him. 



Then there is the plan of casting the natural fly ; certainly 

 one of the most artistic methods of employing a natural 

 bait at all, and not easy to accomplish thoroughly. An 

 ordinary single-handed fly rod and line is used, with three 

 yards of gut and a light hook ; one or two flies are put 

 on, and standing with his back to the wind, and the line 

 between his left finger and thumb, just above the hook, 

 and as much loose line waving in the air as he thinks he 

 can cast ; the angler waves his rod backwards and forwards 

 once or twice to swing the length of line clear, and then, 

 making his cast, lets go the hook and away goes the bait 

 to its destination ; it is allowed to go down stream to the 

 full length of the line, and is then pulled up and re-cast ; 

 when from frequent immersions the bait is destroyed or 

 the line wet and heavy, a new bait must be put on, or the 



