IDEAS ON FLYFISHING. 251 



skilled in snapping off flies, even although possessed 

 of considerable experience, that their custom must 

 have been of no small advantage to the tradesman 

 who supplied them with tackle. 



Supposing the angler is facing a river which he is 

 desirous of throwing across. The rod being held in 

 the right hand, gradually, but with increasing veloci- 

 ty, raise your rod from left to right ; when the line 

 is straight out from you, make a sweep, and bring the 

 flies down upon the water with a half-circular motion 

 of the hand. This last movement will raise the slack 

 of the line and cause the trail fly to strike the water 

 first, which should always happen. When this first 

 lesson is thoroughly learned with the left hand, it 

 should then be practiced up and down stream : when, 

 with perseverance and attention, such precision may 

 be gained that the fisherman can place the flies at 

 every effort within an inch or two of the desired 

 spot. 



