ADVANTAGES OF FISHING UP STREAM. 61 



and then fish it down, never casting their line above 

 them at all. 



We shall now mention in detail the advantages . 

 of fishing up, in order to show its superiority over 

 the old method. 



The first and greatest advantage is, that the angler 

 is unseen by the trout. Trout, as is well known, 

 keep their heads up stream ; they cannot remain 

 stationary in any other position. This being the 

 case, they see objects above and on both sides of 

 them, but cannot discern anything behind them, so 

 that the angler fishing down will be seen by them 

 twenty yards off, whereas the angler fishing up will 

 be unseen, although he be but a few yards in their 

 rear. The advantages of this it is impossible to 

 over-estimate. "No creatures are more easily scared 

 than trout ; if they see any object moving on the 

 river's bank, they run into deep water, or beneath 

 banks and stones, from which they will not stir for 

 some time. A bird flying across the water, or the 

 shadow of a rod, will sometimes alarm them ; and 

 nothing connected with angling is more certain than 

 this, that if the trout see the angler, they will not 

 take his lure. He may ply his minnow in the most 

 captivating manner, may throw his worm with con- 

 summate skill, or make his flies light softly as a 

 gossamer all will be unavailing if he is seen by 

 his intended victim. 



The next advantage of fishing up we shall notice, 

 is the much greater probability of hooking a trout 



