79 



Oliver. I am thoroughly convinced of the 

 folly of laying down precise rules for the color 

 of the fly to be used at particular times and 

 seasons, as I have often failed, even in likely 

 weather, to take trout with a fly highly 

 recommended in books as being proper for 

 that particular time, and have succeeded to 

 the height of my wishes on trying another, 

 which the same authorities informed me was 

 only adapted for a season several months 

 earlier or later. After all that has been said 

 and sung on the subject of angling, I am 

 confident that much more depends on the 

 disposition of the trout to take the bait than 

 on any fancied excellence in the fly to tempt 

 the fish to seize it as a dainty:- a know- 

 ledge of the places where fish are likely to 

 haunt, and a dexterous management of the 

 rod and fly perform the rest. An indifferent 

 angler may catch many trouts when they 

 are inclined to feed; and the most expert 

 and observant will often fail, even in ob- 

 taining a rise, although using the most likely 

 flies and the finest tackle, when they are 



