FLIES. 139 



POIET. I will try the correctness of your 

 principle. Look at the fly now on my line; 

 where would you recommend me to cast it? 



HAL. It is a large gaudy fly, and is fit 

 for no part of this pool, except the extremely 

 rough head of the torrent: there I dare say 

 it will take in this state of the waters. 



POIET. Good, I hooked a large fish, but 

 alas! he is off: yet I thought he was fairly 

 caught. 



HAL. The hook, I think, turned round 

 at the moment you struck, and carried off 

 some scales from the outside of his mouth. 



POIET. You are right: see, the scales 

 are on the hook. I cannot raise another 

 fish: I have tried almost all over the pool. 

 I thought I saw a fish rise at the tail of the 

 rapid. 



HAL. You did: he refused the fly. 

 Now put on a fly one third of the size and 

 of the same colour, and I think you will 

 hook that fish. 



POIET. I have done so and he is fast! 

 and a fine fish; I think a salmon. 



HAL. It is a salmon, and one above 



