94 May -fly Fish ing. 



which is to be regulated accordingly. The point of the 

 hook will then lie along the cheek of your fly on one side, 

 and the shank on the other. 



Having thus baited, you proceed to USQ your fly in 

 this way. Wade into the water, and fish up or across 

 the stream ; for two reasons : first, because you will be 

 unseen by the fish above you and for which you are 

 angling ; secondly, because if you fish down stream every 

 time you raise your rod for a fresh cast you will pull the 

 fly either under the water, which will tend to sop it, kill 

 it, or draw its head off, or lose it altogether by the resist- 

 ance of the stream. Very little of the stinting should be 

 allowed to touch the water for the last reason, even 

 when fishing up the stream, which by all means should 

 be your practice when the waters are low and clear. 

 Your line should seldom be more than half as long 

 again as your rod, which will give you a proper com- 

 mand, and enable you to throw your fly into a place no 

 larger than a tumbler. And in striking, do it straight 

 up, which, with the length of line described, will be sure 

 to tell, there being little or none of it in the water to 

 prevent the stroke taking instant effect. 



Fishes in their natural element ever lie with their 

 heads up stream ; consequently, by beginning at the tail, 

 and fishing up yard by yard, you may take a dozen fish 

 out of one stream. Whereas, by fishing down, you would 

 at most take two or three, your first fish most certainly 

 disturbing all below. When the wind blows up stream, 

 it will render the fishing up comparatively easy, and it 

 will keep your line out of the water, and thus prevent 

 your fly sinking. Your fly will also ride on the water in 

 the same way as the natural fly, at liberty, would 

 do ; namely, with its head down stream, the wind acting 

 upon its wings as upon a vane. This also applies to 

 small Fly-fishing ; and, if adopted, I doubt not will be 



