THE TROUT. 79 



inches. If you choose to fish with more, keep them all at 

 the same distance. And observe, that if your droppers be 

 larger than, or even as large as, your stretcher, you will not 

 be able to throw a good line : but a beginner should never 

 use more than one fly. 



" When thus prepared, let out the line about half as long 

 again as the rod ; and holding the line properly in one hand, 

 and the line, just above the fly, in the other, give your rod a 

 motion from right to left, and as you move the rod backwards, 

 in order to throw out the line, dismiss the line from your 

 hand at the same time ; and try several throws at this length. 

 Then let out more line and try that ; still using more and 

 more till you can manage any length needful ; but about nine 

 yards is quite sufficient for a learner to practice with. And 

 observe, that in raising your line in order to throw it again, 

 you should wave the rod a little round your head, and not 

 bring it directly backwards ; nor must you return the line 

 too soon, nor until it has streamed its full length behind you, or 

 you will certainly whip off your end fly. There is great art in 

 making your line fall light on the water, and showing the flies 

 well to the fish. The best way that I can direct is, that when 

 you have thrown out your line, contriving to let it fall lightly 

 and naturally, you should raise your rod gently and by de- 

 grees; sometimes with a kind of tremulant flourish, which 

 will bring the flies in a little towards you ; still letting them) 

 go down with the stream, but never drawing them against 

 it, for it is unnatural ; and before the line comes too near you 

 throw it again. When you see a fish rise at a natural fly, 

 throw out about a yard above him, but not directly over his 

 head ; and let your fly or flies move gently towards him, 

 which will show it to him in a more natural form, and tempt 

 him the more to take it. Experience and observation alone, 

 however, can make a man a complete adept in the art, so as 



