LANDING-NETS— MAKING FLIES 19 



minds, by the power of association, the infantile or 

 youthful periods of our angling history, and when lofty 

 and dignified sport has been long enjoyed, it is scarcely 

 possible to bring us back to the idea that such appendages 

 are useful. 



LANDING-NET AND GAFF 



These things are absolutely requisite in some particular 

 rivers and waters, where, owing to the nature of the 

 banks and sides, it is difficult to land large fish. When 

 made in a portable manner, so as to be carried in a 

 fishing-basket or creel, they prove occasional useful 

 adjuncts to an angler's equipment. "We think them, 

 however, unnecessary articles in streams which have a 

 broad and channelly bed; and we would never recommend 

 them in such situations, for this plain reason, that the 

 fish are easily enough brought to shore from waters of 

 this description by any angler of average skill and 

 experience. Besides, there is more art required in 

 capturing a fish with the slight tackle of a fly-line, and 

 landing him, without any extraneous assistance. It 

 should always be borne in mind that the uncertainty 

 and suspense connected with an angler's amusement 

 constitute some of the prime elements of his plea- 

 sure, and ought never to be materially diminished 

 by mechanical contrivances. 



ON THE METHOD OF MAKING FLIES 



The intelligent reader will bear in mind that all 

 verbal or written instructions on this mechanical process 

 must necessarily be very imperfect. Fly-making is just 

 one of those delicate and minute matters which can be 

 learned effectually only by imitation ; just, in fact, as a 

 man can be taught to make a shoe, a basket, a chair, or 

 a table. You will learn more in an hour by the eye, 

 than in a twelvemonth by the understanding. The 

 best thing, therefore, a young angler can do, who is 

 anxious and ambitious to excel in this department of 



