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it is a counterfeit, and never attempts to swallow it ; 

 very frequently letting it go before the angler has 

 time to strike, so that it is of the utmost importance 

 to strike immediately, and this is the reason why a 

 quick eye and a ready hand are considered the most 

 necessary qualifications for a fly-fisher." Foster, in 

 the "Scientific Angler" says : " The action requisite 

 is a short quick wrist-motion, commenced sharply 

 but ended almost instantly and abruptly, like 

 a quick movement of the hand in bringing a foil 

 in fencing from tierce to carte." It is impossible 

 to strike too quick, but it is quite possible to 

 strike too hard. 



All the above opinions are based on the supposition 

 that a fish has risen. It is not very often that a trout 

 is seen in the act of rising, but should it be, of course 

 sufficient time must be given for it to reach the fly, 

 then strike at once. When you find that you have 

 hooked your fish, be prepared for its rush, and then 

 comes the time when all your patience, experience, 

 and lightness of hand, are called into requisition. 

 Let the fish have its head a little at first, taking care 

 to steer it clear of weeds, bushes, and sunken obstacles 

 in the water, and then give it a slight pressure from 

 the rod, in addition to the friction of the line which 

 it is dragging through the water; and if you can get 

 it down stream, so as not to disturb the fish above, 

 so much the better. When you have got it down 

 stream, and under command, do not be in too great 

 a hurry to land it, for sometimes when you think it is 

 spent it will make a sudden dart, and you lose it. 

 Give it plenty of time to tire itself out, then put the 

 landing net quietly into the water, slip it under the 



