ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. 135 



CHAP. V. 



THE BEST RULES FOR ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. 



IT is the best fishing in a river somewhat dis- 

 turbed 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 conve- 

 niently guide your tackle, the fishes will rise in 

 the still deeps ; but if there is little wind stirring, 

 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 cloudv 

 and windy, and the water thick, you must keep 

 the fly in continual motion, otherwise the fishes 

 will discern. the deceit. 



" Upon the curling surface let it glide 

 " With natural motion from your hand supply'd, 

 " Against the stream now gently let it play, 

 " Now in the rapid eddy roil away." 



Let the line be twice as long as the rod, unless 

 the river is encumbr ed with wood 5 and always 



