FLY-FISHING BY NIGHTLIGHT. 189 



become necessary, a foot-line on his "beaver" is 

 more accessible in the dark than deposited in a fly- 

 book Those flies were almost universally used on 

 the foot-line, and about three feet apart, in fishing 

 the Irish lakes. The same rule was observed in 

 night-angling. I need scarcely add that the foot-line 

 was of single gut, which should be of the strongest 

 salmon kind. If the angler resided near the lake, 

 he generally mounted his rod before starting. It 

 saved time and the trouble of manipulating a number 

 of small things in imperfect light. As the rod 

 which is now equipped for action is not very heavy, 

 and may be worked occasionally by one hand, there 

 is no objection to adding a few " Havanas " to the 

 contents of the fly-case. The faculty of smell in fish 

 is, I believe, confined to their own element. 



All these minute details and preparations, which 

 doubtless for many anglers are superfluous, centre in 

 the use of a light handy boat, without which night- 

 angling on lakes would be a bootless occupation. 

 Through its agency alone could the haunts of the 

 fish sought for be reached, and adequately angled. 

 A rower who can propel his craft over the water as 

 silently and efficiently as an otter can regulate his 

 movements in that fluid is desirable. The little craft 

 should be perfectly under his command. " A land- 

 lubber " is bad enough by day ; but at night would 

 be intolerable. Two persons accustomed to these noc- 



