I'L Y PISHING I' OK TROUT 13 



the ten-feet six-inches-long rod has been made ready, 

 the reel fixed, and a delicate cast attached to the line. 

 And now the all-important question has been reached, 

 what fly shall first be tried on this eventful day ? 

 Shall it be olive-dun, olive-quill-gnat, red-quill, 

 alder, or what ? .Much must of course depend on 

 the part of England in which our imaginary stream 

 is placed ; but as it is necessary to generalise, let 

 us suggest to our fisherman that an olive-dun tied 

 with a slight gold twist on the body is as likely a 

 fly as any to attract a trout. So on with it at once. 

 I )elicately fashioned, with wings gaily cocked, it is 

 as like as possible to the small duns which are seen 

 dancing about in the sunshine, though it does not 

 appear that as yet there are many floating on the 

 water. 



Before launching it on its voyage of deception, 

 however, one more ceremony has to be observed ; not 

 in this instance a libation, but a very slight touch 

 of refined scentless paraffin oil given to the body and 

 hackles of the fly, so as to make it float better, and in 

 consequence reduce to a minimum the necessity of 

 constant casts in the air to dry it. 



And now having completed all preparations, and 

 having made certain that the cast was thoroughly 

 soaked before brinu r attached to the line, let us 



