CHAPTER VI. 



UP OR DOWN STREAM. 



So much for the tackle to be used in fly-fishing, and, 

 being thus provided, in what way should the tyro go 

 to work ? The first point to be considered is, Should 

 he fish up stream or down ? Old Father Izaak 

 says, " fish down stream," but he was not much of 

 a fly-fisher, and I cannot help thinking that if he 

 had lived in the present day he would have seen fit 

 to alter his opinion in this respect. Fish, like 

 human beings, have advanced in education since 

 that time, and, if you want to catch a trout, get 

 behind him. I caught a large trout about eight 

 years ago in clear smooth water, where I did not 

 much expect to catch one, and on examining him I 

 found that he had only one eye, and I had got on 

 the blind side and pitched over him. The ad- 

 vantages of fishing up stream appear to me so great 

 that I can hardly believe any good fly-fisher can 

 hold a contrary opinion ; but, lest I should seem 

 prejudiced, I will give some reasons for my faith. 

 The trout always lies with its head up stream, 

 waiting for the food to come down, and if you 

 approach it from the rear you are not so likely to be 

 seen as when approaching it face to face. Again, 

 the natural fly floats down stream, and by throwing 

 up and letting the artificial float down you imitate 



