30 



the motion of the natural fly, taking care to raise 

 the point of the rod as the fly approaches you, so as 

 not to have any slack line out, for if you have, you 

 cannot strike properly. Another reason is, that if 

 while fishing up a trout rises, when you strike you 

 will in all probability hook it in the side of the 

 mouth as it turns ; but when fishing down, if you 

 strike, the motion tends to draw the fly out of 

 the fish's mouth, and he does not lose much 

 time in getting rid of it if found not to his taste, 

 and then 



" The trout within yon wimplin burn 



Glides swift, a silver dart, 

 And, safe beneath the shady thorn, 

 Defies the angler's art." 



Another important matter to consider is the direc- 

 tion of the wind. Always, if you can, fish with the 

 wind behind you, or, at all events, so that you can 

 throw across it ; but, if you must make a choice of 

 evils, choose the lesser, and fish up stream and 

 against the wind, rather than down stream and with 

 the wind. In considering which side of the river to 

 fish, do not, if you can help it, fish from that side 

 whence the sun would cast your shadow on the 

 water, as nothing is more alarming to trout. It is 

 impossible, in a short treatise like the present, to 

 give such instruction in throwing the fly as will 

 make the tyro an adept. It is desirable to practise 

 throwing with both the right and left sweep, as by 

 changing from one to the other you avoid getting 

 into the bad habit of twisting the rod, which would 

 assuredly warp and spoil it ; and by practising short 

 throws with the left hand you will be able to give 



