18 PKACTICE BETTER THAN PRECEPT. 



above the surface of the water. Practise in these 

 difficult spots until you think you can surmount 

 the obstructions, and are able to avoid getting 

 entangled amongst them. 



Practical observation is better than any written 

 lesson, because example is far more cogent than 

 precept. When you see an old fly-fisher of ac- 

 knowledged reputation on the water, watch his 

 movements, and gain knowledge from what you 

 see as well as from what you hear. You see most 

 likely that he performs what you cannot. Ob- 

 serve his method, follow it, and you will overcome 

 what had hitherto been a difficulty to you. If 

 he permits you to accompany him during the day, 

 do so, and if he will give you any oral instruc- 

 tions, be thankful to him. If they agree with 

 those you will find in this book, practise them 

 perseveringly. Attend always to a multitude of 

 corroborating, intelligent and disinterested wit- 

 nesses. 



You have been all this while learning to cast 

 with reel-line and casting-line without any flies 

 on the latter. Commence with ' a single fly of 

 rather large size, dressed on a full length of gut, 

 and looped to the end of your casting-line. That 

 fly is your tail-fly, or " stretcher." You will soon 

 be informed of your proficiency in throwing this 

 fly. The information will be conveyed to you 

 in the very pleasantest way, viz., by fish rising 



