CHAP. V. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 299 



that your fly may first fall upon the water, and as little of 

 your line with it as is possible: though if the wind be stiff, 

 you will then, of necessity, be compelled to drown a good 

 part of your line, to keep your fly in the water. And in 

 casting your fly you must aim at the further, or nearer 

 bank, as the wind serves your turn, which also will be 

 with and against you, on the same side, several times in 

 an hour, as the river winds in its course, and you will 

 be forced to angle up and down by turns accordingly, 

 but endeavour, as much as you can, to have the wind, 

 evermore, on your back. And always be sure to stand as 

 far off the bank as your length will give you leave when 

 you throw to the contrary side : though when the wind 



loop : then take your end-fly, or stretcher, which should be made with oue or two 

 lengths of good level cut, full as fine as, or H little finer than, the bottom link 

 of your foot-length, lied and whipped neatly together, and looped nicely at the 

 end : loop this to the end of your gut-length : and then, your drop-fly just 

 above a knot, where whipped, about a yard from the end-fly, to hang from the 

 line, not more thau two or three inches. If you chuse to fish for more, keep 

 them all about the same distance. And observe that if your droppers be larger 

 than, or even as large as, your stretcher, you will not be able to throw a good 

 line : but a beginner should never use more than one fly. _ 



When thus prepared, let out thr line, about half as long / ,7* 



again as the rod : and holding the rod, properly in one J "\ 



hand, and the line just above the fly, in the other, give 

 your rod a motion from right to left : and as you move the rod backwards, in 

 order to throw out the line, dismiss the line from your hand at the same time ; 

 and try several throws, at this length. Then let out more line ; and try that: 

 still using more and more, till you can manage any length needful : but about 

 nine yards is quite, sufficient for a learner to practise with. And observe that 

 in raiting your line, in order to throw it again, you should wave the rod a little 

 round your head, and not bring it directly backwards : nor must you return the 

 line too soon, nor until it has streamed its full length behind you, or you will 

 certaiuly whip off your end-fly. There is great art in making your line fall light 

 on the water, and shewing the flies well to the fish. The best way that I ran 

 direct is, that when you have thrown out your line, contriving to let it fall 

 lightly and naturally, you should raise your rod gently, and by degrees ; some- 

 times with a kind of gentle tremulant flourish, which will bring the flies on a 

 little towards you ; still letting them go down with the stream, but never draw 

 them against it, for it is unnatural : and before the line comes too near you, 

 throw out again. When you see a fish rise at a natural fly. throw about a yard 

 above him, but not directly over his head ; and let your fly (or flies) move gently 

 towards him, which will shew it to him in a more natural form, and tempt him 

 the more to take it. Experience and observation alone, however, can make an 

 angler a complete adept in the art, so as to ei able him to throw his fly behind 

 bushes and trees, into holes, under banks, and other places mentioned as the 

 Trout'* haunts, and where the best fish are to be found. Taylor's Art of 

 Angling. 



