I2 4 HINTS TO DRY-FLY FISHERMEN. 



down accurately over the very spot where the 

 trout or grayling is feeding. As the fly comes 

 down stream, raise the point of the rod slowly, 

 just enough to lift the slack line off the water, but 

 by no means attempt to impart any motion to the 

 fly, or to hurry it down the run, this being a sub- 

 version of the usual course taken by the natural fly, 

 which, except in the case of the grannom and alder, 

 floats without the slightest motion of the wings. 



Where it is impracticable to throw up stream, 

 cast across and slightly up, and, where this is im- 

 possible, cast directly across, and lower the hand 

 slowly as the fly floats down, so as not to drag it. 

 In all cases, and under all conditions, note as a 

 fundamental principle that a fly " dragging," that 

 is, moving more rapidly or more slowly than the 

 stream at the particular point, or floating in a 

 direction different to that taken by the natural 

 insect in a similar position, and so causing a break 

 or " wake " in the water, is comporting itself in an 

 eccentric and unnatural fashion, and will, in all 

 probability and among very shy fish for an ab- 

 solute certainty not delude them into a belief of 

 its being the living fly. 



Occasionally, however, it is impossible, either 

 owing 1 to natural obstructions on the bank or 



o 



other causes, to fish a spot excepting by casting 

 directly, or nearly directly, down stream ; and in 

 such a position a thoroughly dry fly floated down 

 " cocked," is frequently efficacious ; but in case it 



