10 THE TROUT ARE RISING 
of a collar of flies, will be something to have in 
view. The art of casting without mishap to the 
flies consists in a steady, even action of rod and arm, 
and keeping the body still helps much to this end. 
(3) I will add a third rule, with a parting 
blessing. Not only while you are a novice, but 
always, have a care with that first cast of the day. 
There is often a trout at the exact spot where the 
fly drops, and a trout landed at the first cast is 
an earnest of a good bag. It puts the fisherman 
in fine fettle for the day. 
As I have said, the beginner has a world of 
things to learn but he should not be put off on 
that account, or because instructions are manifold. 
If he once gets on the right track of the casting 
the rest will come. Ability to throw the fly 
correctly brings satisfaction of itself. One feels 
somewhat akin to the schoolboy who, having 
worked out a sum, took it to his schoolmaster, 
who went through the figures and commented : 
“Very good!” ‘Very good!” said the boy, 
with some heat ; “ why, it’s correct, sir !” 
Gradually, my love of the river Severn 
intensified, With it, too, grew an increasing 
affection for little rivers—if they held trout! By 
Severnside the thought occurred, with dismay, 
how something would surely be missing were 
one’s lot cast where no river fishing could be had. 
You may have a beautiful river—the Trent near 
Stone, for instance—but, with no trout in it, the 
picture is not the same. How many important 
decisions must have been taken, how many. places 
