THE CHOICE OF A FLY. 135 



of flies becomes well developed that a general rise may be 

 expected, or that the artificial will be taken with any 

 degree of confidence. 



As to the number of flies to be used on a cast at 



one time — in ordinary wet fly fishing, 

 Number. across and down stream — probably 



three is the best number. We cer- 

 tainly prefer this number to four, although in some 

 places four or even five are commonly used ; but the 

 disturbance of the water, the extra risk of catching 

 stones and other obstacles, as well as tangling the cast, 

 certainly do not compensate for any multiplying of 

 chances, which we look on as very doubtful. 



In upstream fishing, one fly, or two at most, should 

 be used. More are only a nuisance, disturbing the 

 water, and also dividing the angler's attention, when it 

 would pay much better to have it concentrated on one 

 fly only, and fish this one really carefully in all the 

 eddies and corners. 



This may not be very orthodox doctrine, but our 

 experience is that when fewer flies are used the more 

 fish are caught, simply because fewer are missed. 

 Although at times fewer may be risen, a greater 

 proportion of them will be hooked. 



On a hard fished water when following another angler 

 it is advisable to use a fly differing in pattern from the 

 one the first man is employing, on the same principal 

 as changing the fly when a fish is missed. Fish which 

 refuse one pattern of fly may rise eagerly to another 



