30 



patterns with short wings. For these occasions, however, we made 

 her ship-shape, but — and here is the point — with " sides " and 

 "cheeks" of jungle and chatterer, extremely showy, and altogether 

 out of proportion larger than little flies carry, in fact, the largest to be 

 had. 



The success attained with this unique object, though not very 

 regular, bore eloquent testimony to the propriety of our neat 

 discrimination. Once on the riglit track, imagination led to further 

 practice. We knew what the fish wanted, and what they disliked. 

 One did not walk therefore like a dazed man in a twilight of nebulous 

 resolves, but continually practised in sombre patience. At last it was 

 discovered that " Elsie " produced the effect desired, and knocked 

 " Louise " into smithereens. 



With this championess — the fact had better be mentioned — the 

 greatest success resulted in 1886, at one particular spot half a mile or 

 so above the bridge at Crieff. " Elsie " has maintained her reputation 

 on the Earn and elsewhere on subsequent occasions, and came off 

 with flying colours at the ruffles, for she won the viateh for my 

 protege. 



Let us reflect for a few moments on these accomplishments 

 generally. Is our method clear? What does it all mean? It means 

 simply this : Instead of going to a river and putting on the fly that 

 first comes to hand, the study given to Cause and Effect enables us 

 to progress by a system that works wonders, because it is founded 

 on a perfectly natural, and therefore impregnable, basis. It is very 

 simple. All other methods pale into insignificance. What 've do is 

 to concentrate attention at the riverside, and deduce inferences from 

 matters of fact. There is nothing very violent in tlie practice ; it is 



