VI PREFACE. 



to add another to the numerous volumes already 

 existing upon this very popular amusement. 

 It is almost unnecessary to add, that as it is 

 more difficult to deceive trout in clear water 

 than in coloured, the method of angling which 

 succeeds best in the one case will also succeed 

 best in the other. 



For more than fifteen years we have pursued 

 angling with the greatest assiduity ; and during 

 that period have obtained information from a 

 number of excellent amateur anglers (among 

 whom we may mention the Secretary of the 

 late St. Konan's Angling Club), to all of whom 

 we take this opportunity of expressing our 

 thanks. We have also fished with, and watched 

 while fishing, almost all the best professional 

 anglers of the day, including the celebrated 

 James Baillie, considered by all who know him 

 the ablest fly-fisher in Scotland, and from whom 

 we have received some valuable information 

 upon that branch of the art ; and it must be 

 admitted that there are few anglers like those 

 whose ingenuity and perseverance are stimulated 

 by necessity. The information received from 



