102 ACTUAL OPERATIONS. 



fly-fishing. Then let him cast, in the manner directed, 

 straight across the stream, and endeavour to let the 

 tail-fly reach as near to the opposite bank as possible, 

 where the majority of the fish in the water will be con- 

 gregated, waiting for the insects which the wind always 

 drives to the lee-side. After the flies alight, be careful 

 to prevent any other portion of the line except the fly- 

 links from disturbing the water, and keep steadily and 

 gradually elevating the rod, and drawing the flies gently 

 across the stream, at the same time that they are allowed 

 to be swept round in a semicircle by the current, until 

 they fairly reach the edge of the water. Then, with- 

 drawing them with as little disturbance as possible, step 

 a yard or so farther down, and make a fresh cast in the 

 same manner as before. By thus making a cast at every 

 yard down stream, the entire surface of the pool will be 

 swept in succession, and every fish in it inclined to rise 

 will have had an offer. The rod must also be held high 

 enough, and the flies drawn through the water sufficiently 

 quick to prevent them from sinking deeper than a quar- 

 ter of an inch or so beneath the surface ; while the upper 

 dropper should be made to dangle and play upon the 

 top of the water, just skimming the surface, as nearly 

 as possible after the manner of the particular fly it is in- 

 tended to imitate. 



During the progress of the flies across the water, 

 various little dodges and manoeuvres may be adopted to 

 cause them to represent a living insect such as quivering 

 the rod, bobbing the droppers up and down and from side 

 to side, drawing them along by jerks, etc.,, and other devices. 



