28 ANGLING. 



sounding reel gives notice that these circles have 

 been instantaneously stretched into a straight and 

 tightened line ! Then comes the long and continu- 

 ous vibration of rod and reel, indicating the secure 

 hooking of a goodly fish ; or that sullen and pulse- 

 like tug, by which a still goodlier one, when hooked 

 in a deep pool, frequently manifests a desire to dig 

 its way to the bottom ; or that more interrupted 

 music which results from the fantastic leaps of some 

 whimsical individual, which skims and flounders on 

 the top of the water like a juvenile wild-duck. 



The ordinary rules for fly-fishing are, to be 

 most assiduous when the streams are somewhat 

 disturbed and increased by rain, when the day is 

 cloudy, and the waters moved by a gentle breeze, 

 especially from the south. If the river contains 

 long placid pools, then a steady stirring breeze is 

 very desirable, as angling in such situations re- 

 sembles lake-fishing, where little can be achieved 

 upon a glassy surface. If the wind is low and the 

 weather clear, of course the best angling is in the 

 swiftest streams, and in those curling and perturbed 

 eddies which head the smoother depths. In fishing 

 the smoother pools of no great depth, be careful that 

 the shadows of neither rod nor angler come upon 

 the surface ; but if a person is skilful in other re- 

 spects and able to swim he need not fear his own 

 shadow on a broad river, but wade boldly down the 

 centre of the stream, fishing its various depths and 

 currents before him and on either side. In clear 

 rivers the flies should be small and rather slender- 

 winged ; but when the waters are muddy or in- 



