BAIT AND FLY FISHING. 73 



CHAPTER IV. 



HAVING given the young angler a general 

 sketch of my mode of bait fishing, permit 

 me now to introduce him to the mysteries 

 of Fly Fishing ; by the former, the trout is 

 deceived by the taste ; and by the latter, it 

 is deceived by sight. Fly fishing resembles 

 angling with artificial minnow; its success 

 very much depends upon the skill with 

 which Nature is imitated in the production 

 of artificial minnow, maggot, or fly, as also 

 in the skilful handling of the rod while 

 angling ; trouts are not to be caught by the 

 work of imperfect head or hands. The 

 angler's defects in imitation are in some 

 measure compensated by the ripple on the 

 water, which deceives the voracious fish as 

 it darts up from the first impulse of sight, 

 fearing the escape of its prey, by wing, wind, 

 or water. The speed with which the fish 

 rises through the water dims its sight, until 



