108 ANGLIXU. 



Perhaps, after all, it is best to avoid dogmatically adhering 

 to either of these two schools of angling. Fish upwards 

 whenever you can, even at a little inconvenience, and come 

 down on the opposite bank when the fish are likely to be 

 hungry. 



As you approach the stream do so cautiously, and Keep 

 out of sight as much as possible. Your lines will be all 

 the better if they have been rubbed with india-rubber, and 

 have been slightly soaked in water before you commence, 

 so as to have no harshness or awkward wavy coils on the 

 gut. Always remember that the flies should alight on the 

 water before your line like a rose leaf on a lady's veil. To 

 do this properly, the point of the rod must be kept well 

 up, and the shorter the cast the gieiter probability of suc- 

 cess. The most skilful angler cannot make his flies fall too 

 lightly, or keep too much out of sight. Nay, in some streams 

 and pools it will be necessary to kneel. If the current 

 is strong you may repeat the cast, and fish the river inch 

 by inch, as it were, if the pool or stream looks promising ; 

 and the casts should be made partly up and partly across 

 the stream, so that the flies spread across the stream. 

 Watch your flies carefully the moment they alight on the 

 surface of the Avater, for that is the moment considered 

 the most deadly by all anglers, and when the fish is most 

 likely to mistake them for the real insect, and to seize 

 them. Strike at once, firmly but gently, before the fish 

 can eject the fly on finding his mistake. Striking should 

 be done by a slight but quick motion of the wrist, and in 

 the same direction as the rod is moving at the time. An 

 excellent plan to fish a stream is to keep away from the 

 bank, and fish the nearer side first, keeping the flies on the 

 surface, or but an inch or two below it, until the line gets 



