STREAM-FISHING 89 



ready to flee at the first glimpse of a figure on the bank 

 that, except in broken or discoloured water, the down- 

 stream fisher is wasteful of energy ; they have seen 

 him and fled while he was still a score of yards away. 



Even when seeking to reach them from below, the 

 anofler is constrained to exercise the ofreatest caution. 

 He dare not walk boldly up on them, trusting that the 

 disposition of their heads will prevent them from de- 

 tecting his approach. If he does he will find his 

 confidence betrayed, and all he will see of them is 

 their shadowy forms as they glide 

 swiftly away out of sight. He 

 cannot entirely efface himself, but 

 he must carefully avoid all unne- 

 cessary exposure of his offensive 

 person. He should learn from 

 the dry-fly fisher, who probably owes his success as 

 much to the skill with which he stalks his quarry as to 

 the use of the lure he affects. In fishing from a high 

 bank especially the angler should take advantage of 

 every bit of cover likely to aid him in concealing his 

 presence. Where no cover affords him a sufficient 

 screen he should, regardless of comfort, creep and crawl 

 towards the water; even in the attitude of the serpent, 

 should that be necessary to his perfect obscuration. 



