Fly-Fishing. 379 



be screened by such natural objects as bushes, trees, rocks, 

 etc., or by keeping well back from the brink and making 

 long casts. In wading, it is also necessary to make long 

 casts. The latter is the best plan of fishing a stream, as 

 the angler, being so near the water, is not so apt to be seen. 



It is best, always, to fish down stream, even with the 

 wind against one, for fish always lie with head up stream, 

 and will be more apt to see your flies. The current will, 

 moreover, take your flies down stream, and so keep your 

 line taut. It is also easier to wade down, than up stream. 

 Many other reasons might be given, but these will be suffi- 

 cient. Cast just below ripples and rapids, over eddies and 

 pools, along the edges of weed patches, under projecting 

 banks and shelving rocks, near submerged trees or drift- 

 wood, off gravelly shoals, isolated rocks and long points or 

 spurs of land; it is useless to fish long, deep, still reaches 

 of water. 



The most favorable time for fly-flshing for black bass 

 is during the last hours of the day, from sundown until 

 dark, and also on bright moonlight evenings. On streams, 

 an hour or two following sunrise, in warm weather, is 

 quite favorable. On dark, cloudy, and cold days the mid- 

 dle hours are best. Bright sunny days, especially in hot 

 weather, are not favorable to fly-fishing, except in quite 

 cool, shady, and breezy situations. In short, the best con- 

 ditions are a mellow or dusky light, a good breeze, and 

 translucent water ; while the most unfavorable are a bright 

 sun, a still atmosphere, and a smooth and glassy surface, 

 with the water either very fine or very turbid. 



And now, in concluding this portion of my subject, let , 

 me say a parting word to the beginner: Cast a straight 

 line; keep it taut; strike upon sight, or touch; kill your 

 fish on the rod ; take your time. It is better to cast a short 

 line well, than a long one bunglingly. Should you cast 



