156 PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



likely spot. I won't take a chance on scaring him 

 by casting toward his lair but will cast down stream 

 on this side until I have enough line out to reach the 

 tree. Then, at the end of my last back cast, I will 

 turn and drop this Yellow May where he can get it 

 if he's there and in ye mood. What ! No rise ? Very 

 well, I'll just work along the log, letting the current 

 carry the fly past it. Well! Maybe he doesn't like 

 the Yellow May and we'll try this number 4 Brown 

 Palmer. Come on, son, we'll be movin' along that 

 fish doesn't know good fishing when he sees it ! 



That old brush heap ought to be good for something. 

 Sure enough, a rock bass! But we will put him back 

 to propitiate the river gods and the spirits of departed 

 anglers who brood over this beautiful stream when 

 the wind is South. 



Those overhanging willows ought to give us a real 

 fish a " keeper." We will get above 'em and float 

 a fly down under the drooping branches. Very well, 

 Mr. Bass; stay there; we will call again some other 

 day when you are in a more hospitable frame of mind ! 

 There's a cluster of partly submerged tree stumps a bit 

 farther down; come on, let's give 'em a trial. 



Now we will lengthen our line as we did at the 

 fallen tree as there is no likely water between us and 

 the stumps. There! Did you see him take after it! 

 Why didn't I stop the retrieve and let him take it? 

 Because it's poor policy and would have aroused his 

 suspicion and if I had continued to retrieve my rod 

 tip would have been up so high that I probably would 



