HOW TO MANCEUVKE THE FLIES. 101 



directions, the angler will find that if the line is kept 

 suspended high enough and long enough to permit the 

 flies to assume their natural position beneath the other 

 portions of the line, by reason of their greater weight, 

 the end fly, which ought always to be the largest and 

 heaviest on the cast, will drop into the water first, and 

 then the droppers in succession, in the most delicate and 

 natural manner possible ; while scarcely any other por- 

 tion of the line than that to which they are imme- 

 diately attached need ever touch the water at all. With 

 a good breeze, and the fish in a taking humour, the 

 angler will have no lack of sport, if he manoeuvres his 

 tackle according to the above directions ; and if he allow 

 a popular seasonal fly thus to dangle in the wind over 

 the surface of the water, he will find it in nine cases out 

 of ten to be taken the instant it reaches the surface, and 

 in many cases it will be met half-way, if there is a trout 

 in the vicinity. I do not consider any one entitled to 

 the designation of an accomplished fly -fisher unless 

 he is able to cast his. line over the branch of a tree 

 without entangling it, or drop his tail fly into a soup- 

 plate at a distance of twenty-five yards, with the as- 

 sistance of a favourable breeze blowing in the right 

 direction. 



I should recommend a beginner to commence at the 

 top of a stream or pool, if the direction of the wind will 

 allow him ; to stand as far from the water's edge as he 

 conveniently can ; and to throw as long a line as the 

 strength of the wind and his own dexterity will permit : 

 for to fish fine, and far off, is one of the golden rules of 



