i68 PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



up and across stream. The majority of anglers are 

 agreed, I believe, that the best system is to fish fast 

 water down and slow water up, making sure to fish 

 the pools first from below. 



There are ten good casters to one good wader. 

 " Take your time and make haste slowly " is good 

 advice to trout fishers. Cast in all the likely places, 

 not just the choice spots. Work all the white water 

 you can find. If brown trout are present look for them 

 in the eddies above big boulders but brooks and rain- 

 bows will be scattered about in the fast water; the 

 broken water immediately below dams is a good place 

 for the beginner to start his trout fishing career. Move 

 carefully so as not to make noise. Sing or whistle if 

 you feel like it but avoid scraping your hob nails on 

 stones or gravel such sounds carry a great way under 

 water. Throwing a long line is not necessary when 

 fishing the rapids thirty feet is ample under ordi- 

 nary conditions. 



The smooth stretches of swift, unbroken water re- 

 quires careful and quiet fishing. Such places often 

 shelter big fish, especially on bright days. Drop your 

 flies gently close to the bank where there are dark 

 pockets; around fallen trees and other debris for such 

 a place is where lone lunkers love to lie in wait for food 

 to come down to them. 



It is good strategy, especially when fishing strange 

 waters, to start out with three flies on the leader, then 

 switch to one when you find a pattern and size they 

 like. Sometimes permitting the fly to sink well pro- 



