172 PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



quainted with the highly specialized tackle and methods 

 in use to-day. For a long time it was considered that 

 most American trout streams were unsuited to dry fly 

 fishing because they are swifter and rougher than the 

 chalk streams of England but many anglers have 

 learned that even fast water can be " fished dry " and 

 they maintain that in case the fly is sucked under it is 

 just as effective as any wet fly can be. Dry fly fishing 

 is now an accepted angling method with the majority 

 of American trout fishers and even confirmed wet fly 

 men often carry a few dry flies tied to tapered leaders 

 for fishing certain parts of their favorite streams. 

 Ideal dry fly water is that which flows smooth and 

 swift, just such water as many wet fly fishers pass by 

 as unprofitable. Such water should be " checker- 

 boarded " with casts before the angler moves up to 

 fish new water, special attention being given to the 

 spots along the bank where big fish would find cover 

 and to fish that are seen to be feeding. In addition to 

 rod, reel and tapered line greased with deer fat, the 

 dry fly fisher should be equipped with tapered leaders. 

 These should be of high quality gut, tied with small 

 knots. A good one is one of nine feet in length and 

 tapering from extra stout to 3X fine. At least an 

 extra leader should be soaking in the leader box as 

 well as a number of 1 2-inch strands of the same size 

 as the extreme end of the leader. These are to be 

 used as " points " to tie to the end of the leader as the 

 original end is clipped off from changing flies. 



Only one fly is used in dry fly fishing and this is tied 



