68 THE WAY OF A TROUT WITH A FLY 



far below the surface, or with so little motion, that there 

 is no swirl or break on the surface to indicate that he has 

 taken. Then the opportunity may be missed unless some 

 other hint be noted by the watchful angler. On chalk 

 streams or smooth placid streams such indications may be 

 found in the draw of the partially floating gut, in the flash 

 of the turn (but this is comparatively rarely seen), or in 

 the appearance of a faint hump on the surface, often 

 accompanied by a tiny central eddy caused by the suction 

 with which the trout has drawn in the fly. 



Sometimes the entire process can be seen, though the 

 fly be invisible, and then the angler will be wise if he 

 tightens at the least motion of the fish to left or right, or 

 at the opening and closing of his mouth, or, if the cast has 

 fallen wide, then at the moment the fish is seen to turn 

 back. It is surprising how often he will be found to have 

 collected the fly. I have seen a trout let an artificial fly 

 of the nymph type go past him, turn and follow it for 

 several yards, and, striking as he turned upstream again, 

 have found him fast. 



