May-fly Fishing. 95 



found as successful as it has invariably proved with the 

 writer! 



' By sometimes throwing your fly on to a stone, bank, 

 or any other projection, and gently drawing it off, so as 

 to drop on the water close by, you will assimilate your 

 practice to the natural habits of the fly ; and, if a trout 

 should have his hold there, you will have the best chance 

 of killing him, for in such a case he will take it fearlessly. 

 Never miss a single spot where you fancy a fish may be 

 laid ; observation and a little practice will soon teach you 

 this. Do not forget that thin water on the side opposite 

 to that from which you are fishing. Amongst stones are 

 the most deadly places in which to use this fly. Wher- 

 ever a little foam stands near a stone by the edge of a 

 stream or losh your fly should be cast ; for there you will 

 most certainly find a fish. By the edges of streams run- 

 ning past grassy banks are always good spots in which to 

 throw it. 



The greatest delicacy is required in throwing this fly, 

 with a long line, across large pools and streams towards 

 the opposite banks or braes, for it should, generally, just 

 fall on them and be gently pulled off, when a rise is 

 almost certain. Be careful, however, in making your 

 sweep to get your fly well behind before you give the 

 forward motion, or you will whip it off. Fishing the 

 pools in this way, when not too wide, is most deadly. 

 Under trees and bushes, or anything overhanging the 

 water, you should never neglect to cast, for in such 

 localities trout are generally to be found. It is good 

 practice at midday, when the sun is very hot, to fish with 

 the May-fly in very rough white streams, casting to the 

 top and letting it come down to you. In such rapids I 

 have killed some of the largest trout. The best trout, 

 indeed, invariably lie in the deepest and strongest streams 

 at this season. Mr. Stewart, in his work on the same 



