88 A SCOTTISH FLY-FISHER 



John Dick, the last, so far as I know, to make a stand 

 in its defence. If there still remain any who ignore the 

 doctrines first clearly enunciated by Stewart — though 

 not first practised by him — it is not from conviction, 

 but from indolence. They are probably well aware of 

 the advantages of up-stream fishing, but they know 

 also that it makes large demands on the angler's 

 energies and they prefer a small basket easily gained 

 to a full one earned by strenuous labour. The modern 

 down-stream fisher is no enthusiast ; he is content with 

 a moderate success ; while willing enough to capture 

 fish, he is unwilling to spend himself in their pursuit. 

 Up-stream fishing, it is also said, requires a more ac- 

 curate and extensive acquaintance with the habits of 

 the trout than the down-stream angler need possess. 

 But they who say so do not condescend to tell us 

 why. To one not in the secret it seems that whether 

 the angler fish in one direction or the other he should, 

 if he desires to take fish, know where to look for 

 them. 



It is enough to establish the superiority of up-stream 

 fishing in clear water that, since the trout habitually lie 

 with their head towards the source and are extremely 

 quick of sight, it is impossible to approach them from 

 above unseen. They are the most timid of fish and so 



