Ffy-Ftfi&g. 



Now, though my principal aim is to divert fly- 

 fifhing, with all its accompaniments, of imaginary 

 difficulties, and to make it as eafy of attainment 

 to you as I have found it myfelf ; it is neverthe- 

 lefs an art, like everything elfe worth knowing, 

 not to be acquired without attention, perfeverance, 

 and care. 



Think not, then, becaufe you have fmacked off 

 your flies, it is a hopelefs cafe, though a dozen or 

 two more (hare the fame fate ; but rather take 

 courage on being aflured, that your prefent de- 

 ftru&ivenefs is no bad omen of your future excel- 

 lence. In handling a rod, the wrift fhould be the 

 principal agent employed in propelling the line at- 

 tached to it. And it is by too quick a turn of the 

 wrift, before the whole of the line is expanded 

 backwards, that the deftru&ion of your flies is 

 caufed. If, then, you can hit ofF the exacl: mo- 

 ment, after a gentle fweep behind, to propel the 

 line forwards, you will have learnt the true fecret 

 of good throwing. And it has, I believe, been 

 often obferved, that the tyro who is too cautious 

 and flow ever to whifk ofF a fly, rarely, if ever, 

 becomes a (kilful brother of the craft. 



The lefs heavily your flies drop on the water 



' Like the fall of the rofe-leaf 

 We'll drop the light fly" 



