Dibbing with the Dry-fly 69 



water, and, after much manoeuvring, gently- 

 pushed my rod through the branches of the 

 fallen tree and dangled the fly over the trout, 

 or rather over the spot w^hich I calculated he 

 vi^ould reach in a few moments in his circling 

 course. When he was within a foot of my 

 fly I dibbed it enticingly on the water. He 

 took no notice whatever. My spirits fell a 

 little. I would then have taken a five-pound 

 note to make a false movement. Again and 

 again I tried the same process, till the fly was 

 quite sodden. Then the rod had to be gently- 

 withdrawn and the fly dried. Suddenly a 

 smaller trout, about one pound in weight, 

 came on to the scene, and at once sidled up to 

 my fly. I rudely withdrew it from the water, 

 annoyed by the intruder who threatened to 

 spoil my anticipated sport. Equally indignant, 

 the big trout suddenly made a vicious dart at 

 the new-comer and butted him savagely on 

 the side. Exit pounder amid commotion. 

 Back sailed the victor, and at once recom- 

 menced sucking down the olives. To tell in 

 detail how I had again and again to draw 



