ON RAPID STREAMS. 117 



little more about the fly. I prefer to use two 

 flies only for up-stream fishing ; you are better 

 able to throw and to work two flies in the water, 

 and can better command them with the rod and, 

 moreover, you can more keenly observe when a 

 fish moves, than you could with three flies ; a 

 short collar of stout gut, which, however, must 

 be round and clear four or five links are quite 

 enough will be better managed than very fine 

 gut, which, after soaking, becomes so limp that it 

 is difficult to keep the collar "taut" in the water; 

 the stouter gut is stiffer and more easily managed, 

 and the objection to its being, seen more easily 

 will be found practically of no importance in up- 

 stream fishing. Horsehair and silk form the best 

 line, which should taper, but on no account be 

 very light ; and fifteen to twenty yards will be 

 long enough for small streams. When you ap- 

 proach a part of the stream you are going to try, 

 cast your eye well over it first (having taken care 

 to be in a position where you cannot possibly be 

 seen) ; and supposing it to be a rapid part, inter- 

 sected by rocks and large stones, so as to be cut 

 up as it were into numerous little eddies, select 

 the spot which you can fish without disturbing 

 the other parts, and try that first ; now, this spot 

 may perhaps be so small as a square foot, or less, 

 but if it be a feeding spot, never mind its size; if 

 the water is deep enough to cover the trout and 

 sufficiently attractive to him for feeding, he will 

 be there. Suppose it is just below a stone, with 

 a little water gushing down on the side towards 



