FLY-FISHING BY NIGHTLIGHT. 189 
become necessary, a foot-line on his “beaver” is 
more accessible in the dark than deposited in a fly- 
book. Those flies were almost universally used on 
the foot-line, and about three feet apart, in fishing 
the Irish lakes. The same rule was observed in 
night-angling. I need scarcely add that the foot-line 
was of single gut, which should be of the strongest 
salmon kind. If the angler resided near the lake, 
he generally mounted his rod before starting. It 
saved time and the trouble of manipulating a number 
of small things in imperfect light. As the rod 
which is now equipped for action is not very heavy, 
and may be worked occasionally by one hand, there 
is no objection to adding a few “ Havanas” to the 
contents of the fly-case. The faculty of smell in fish 
is, I believe,.confined to their own element. 
All these minute details and preparations, which 
doubtless for many anglers are superfluous, centre in: 
the use of a light handy boat, without which night- 
angling on lakes would be a bootless occupation. 
Through its agency alone could the haunts of the 
‘fish sought for be reached, and adequately angled. 
A rower who can propel his craft over the water as 
silently and efficiently as an otter can regulate his 
movements in that fluid is desirable. The little craft 
"should be perfectly under his command. “A land- 
lubber” is bad enough by day; but at night would 
be intolerable. Two persons accustomed to these noc- 
