176 FLY-FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 



In fly-fishing the ever changing geological bearings, 

 the varying meteorological influences, the position 

 of trees and other impediments, necessitate a constant 

 change of tactics in order to reach the feeding fish, 

 who, as they become more schooled, take up the 

 more inaccessible and secluded positions. Although 

 some streams are comparatively narrow, it is not 

 always incumbent upon, or advisable for the fisherman 

 to take up his stand upon the verge of the water. 

 " To fish fine and far off," as Cotton, the father of 

 all fly-fishers expresses it, is infinitely better whenever 

 practicable. Broken water should be chosen by the 

 novice to commence upon, as when fish are extracted 

 by him from the rapids, and purling streams, etc., the 

 slower running and still waters may prove beyond 

 his attainments. 



After precision and lightness of execution are 

 attained, the casting distance should next be ex- 

 tended, and upon this point we may briefly say that 

 more depends upon the line and rod than, generally 

 speaking, upon the rodster. With an unusually light 

 line and stiff rod it is often a matter of great difficulty 

 to get out properly a few odd yards over double 

 the rod's length. The same result ensues when the 

 reverse is the case, with a very pliable tool fitted with 

 a stout heavy line. The rod ' in this case is in peril 

 of parting in the middle, or " breaking its back " so 

 to speak, whilst the line, if unreeled to any extent, 

 will constantly be in a state of entanglement. A 

 great deal depends upon getting accustomed to the 

 particular " swing '' of the rod, as when this is the 



