CHAPTER II 



THE FLY TO USE. 



It is an impressive ajjliorism that, " to err is human " ; but while 

 the (\y iiroMem, that onre seemed inscrutable, is being satisfactorily 

 sdlveil by the li-ht lif modem experience, should we accept these 

 words of warning with lamb-like serenit}' and indifference, or 

 endeavour to mininuse by constant effort the necessary amount of 

 human error? .... Another proposition to be laid down is 

 suggested b)- a letter from a source which generall}' ]irovides an object 

 lesson to beginners. In descanting upon the general practice of 

 fishing, an accomplished writer asks: "Are there not main' upon 

 whom the belief has been forced, that if one thing more than amtlicr 

 is responsible for the constant errors we commit of our own free will 

 and accord, it is tlic ensnaring meshes of trathtmn '■'" 



If called in to e\])ress an opinion, the fisherman who writes 

 these pages would not hesitate to .mnounce, (hat tradition is a 



