ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. 13Q 



Let no presuming impious railer tax 

 Creative wisdom, as if aught was forin'd 

 In vain, or not for admirable ends : 

 Shail little haughty ignorance pronounce 

 His works unwise, of which the smallest part 

 Exceeds the narrow vision of her mind ? 



CHAP. V. 



The best Rules for Artificial Fly-fishin'g. 



IT is the best fishing in a river somewhat dis- 

 -turded with rain, or in a cloudy day, when 

 the waters are moved with a gentle breeze : the 

 south and west winds are the best : and if the 

 wind blows high, yet not so but that you may 

 'Conveniently guide your tackle, the fishes will rise 

 in the still deeps; but if there is little wind stir- 

 ring, the best angling is in swift streams. 



In casting your line do it always before you, 

 and in such a manner that the fly may fall first 

 on the water, and as little of your line with it as 

 .possible, but if the wind is high, you will then 

 be forced to drown a good part of it, that you may 

 keep the fly on the water ; and endeavour, as 

 much as you can, to have the wind at your back, 

 and the sun in your face; but the winding of the 

 river will frequently render that impracticable. 



When you throw your line, wave the rod in a 

 small circumference round your head, and never 

 make a return of it before it has had its full scope, 

 for if you do the fly will snap off. 



Although when you angle the day is cloudy 

 and windy, and the water thick, you must keep 

 the fly in continual motion, otherwise the fishes 

 will discern the deceit. 



