50 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



I endeavoured to fabricate — produced something 

 between a bird and a bee — tried again, succeeded better ; 

 and before my artist had recovered, by the shade of 

 Walton 1 I could turn out a reputable fly." 



'' I believe I must make an attempt." 



" You shall succeed, and, as a preliminary, I will put 

 you under the tutelage of my worthy neighbour, the priest. 

 Observe his style of casting, and mark the facility with 

 which he sends five-and-thirty feet of hair and gut 

 across the broadest pool. I fish tolerably, but have 

 repeatedly laid aside my rod to admire the beautiful 

 casting of this perfect master of the angle." 



" He ties a very handsome fly, no doubt." 



" I won't say that — he ties a very killing one. I 

 expect him presently ; and as the day is wet, I'll leave 

 the materials ready, and to-morrow, if the rain ceases 

 soon, we shall prove the value of his flies. 



"As we are on the subject of tying, I must observe 

 that the advantage one derives from being able to 

 construct his own flies is wonderful ; in fact, without 

 attaining this accomplishment in the * gentle art ' no 

 one can fish comfortably or successfully. No stock, 

 however extensive, will afford a supply adapted for 

 every change of weather and water ; and a man may lose 

 a day overlooking an interminable variety of kinds and 

 colours in a vain search after one killing fly. Not 

 so the artist : the favourite insect being once 

 ascertained, he speedily produces an imitation, and 

 fills his basket ; while his less fortunate neighbour 

 is idly turning the pages of his over-stocked fishing-book. 



'* I had two sporting friends, who were excellent 



instances of this. Colonel S was an ardent, and, 



I may add, a very tolerable angler ; and no one went 



