LOOSE STRANDS 



195 



to hook the fish that rise to us. Occasionally, when 

 fishing with too long a line, we may miss a trout we 

 should certainly secure were we able to strike with 

 greater celerity, but as a rule we have no cause for 

 self-reproach. It is not only the artificial fly that is 

 missed by the trout. I have watched them rising to 

 the natural fly, and have been surprised at the fre- 

 quency with which they failed in their aim, even 

 when that aim was an 

 object so large as the 

 Phryganea grandis. 

 Time and again I 

 have seen that insect 

 still occupying its 

 position on the sur- 

 face of the water after 

 the subsidence of the 



commotion caused by a rising fish, and it will scarcely 

 be maintained that it was indebted for its salvation to 

 the fortunate possession of a displeasing tone of colour. 

 There seems to be a great difference of opinion as 

 to the frequency with which the natural fly is missed. 

 Mr. Smurthwaite affirms that not once in a thousand 

 times does the purpose of the trout miscarry ; Mr. 

 Hodgson declares that it seldom does anything else. 



