STRATEGY 153 



that obstructs the flow offers cover for a feeding fish 

 and never should be passed by the fly fisher without a 

 speculative cast or two. 



Stretches where the water runs swift and smooth 

 and almost wader-top high should be fished thoroughly 

 by casting in all directions the casts radiating from 

 you like the spokes of a wheel from its hub, as sug- 

 gested by Dr. Henshall. Don't neglect the water im- 

 mediately above or below a rapid or at the foot of a 

 " shoot " where the stream narrows and speeds up. 

 Beds of grass, isolated clumps of weeds, sharp turns 

 or where another stream comes in are also likely places. 

 Ordinarily it does not pay to spend much time casting 

 over " deepish," still water. Where a sizable ob- 

 struction juts out into the stream look for a bass on 

 the down stream side, just around the corner. Farther 

 in, in the eddy, you will find our friend " Spots," the 

 so-called " pickerel." 



Where the stream runs swift along bare or rocky 

 banks drop your fly on the shore and twitch it off into 

 the water sometimes very effective. Such stretches 

 can also be whipped: making a number of casts and 

 merely permitting the fly to " tick " the water, then 

 finally allowing it to fall and retrieve in the regular 

 way often sets 'em crazy when they are otherwise 

 indifferent. Where the river suddenly becomes shal- 

 low, frequently above or below an island, makes a 

 nice play spot for minnows, a fact well known to 

 hungry bass. 



It must be borne in mind that local conditions, espe- 



