CHAPTER VII 



FLY-FISHING FOR TROUT 



" The variety of rivers require different ways of angling." 

 IZAAK WALTON, The Compleat Angler. 



THE art of catching fish with artificial lures in imi- 

 tation of natural insects is the most chivalric of all 

 methods of angling. 



Fish, particularly trout, often hook themselves 

 when they seize the fly of a fisherman using a pliant 

 rod that will yield and spring freely. As the game 

 strikes, the Angler strikes, hooking the fish swiftly 

 but delicately by a simple turn of the wrist. The 

 trout is not flaunted up in the air by force, as some 

 coarse perch fishermen lift their catch. The trout 

 fisher does not use his arm at all in hooking a trout 

 beyond aiding the hand in holding the rod for the 

 wrist to do the work. A practiced troutman can secure 

 his fish by moving his hand five inches a little back- 

 ward nervous twist of the wrist. 



Trout often snap a fly and spit it out so quickly 

 that the tyro does not have a chance to strike and hook 

 the prize. At other times they take hold more slowly, 

 and afford the beginner more opportunity to hook 

 them, and, as I have said, they very often hook 

 themselves. 



The beginner will have some trouble in overcoming 

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