fering. On very windy days, it is far easier to fish down 

 stream with wet flies, unless the wind is in your favor, 

 blowing up stream. But winds are so changeable on winding 

 mountain streams that the dry fly can be laid aside till ideal 

 weather returns. 



DRY AND WET FISHING COMPARED 



For many years much controversy has been wasted on 

 the subject as to which method is best, and latterly as to 

 its use by American anglers on their own streams. They 

 are here compared now only to show the difference as to 

 tackle and methods. More or less, about seventy-five per 

 cent of American anglers fish the old style wet fly exclusively. 

 More than half of them use indifferent tackle, flies and 

 method. It is those I wish to reach to inform them how 

 much they lose in their sport, and how easy it is to learn a 

 superior style in the art of fishing. The other half, scat- 

 tered over the northern zone, are doubtless all experts in 

 the art of wet fishing, some of whom I know want the 

 information here given. 



Many dry anglers say they capture larger fish by that 

 method than they do with wet flies. I am convinced by 

 my own experience of dry fly fishing there is more real sport, 

 a higher art, and the enjoyment in a better knowledge of 

 animated nature to be seen along a trout stream. 



Dry fishing has several advantages over wet, the most 

 important are that trout leap more frequently, and you may 

 observe trout take the fly, and the resistance is more apt 

 to be near the surface. Your interest is more keen when 

 fishing with flies like the insects you see, and in time you 

 get to distinguish one from another. You also acquire a 

 better knowledge of trout habits, ways of feeding, and 

 where they lie in wait for insects, which are their principal 

 diet. It is indeed an interesting study to watch the transition 

 from the creeper state, and the wonderful development into 

 the perfect insect. 



The method of casting creates a desire for style and 

 accuracy, drying the fly induces a more delicate handling 



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