THE TROUT 71 



whole charm of the art. In short, in fly-fishing all the 

 elements are judiciously combined which contribute to 

 render angling an agreeable and healthy amusement. 



Before we enter into any detail with reference to the 

 application of artificial flies, we beg to make a few pre- 

 liminary observations, which may possibly be of use to 

 the inexperienced angler. 



This mode of fishing has given birth to an enormous 

 mass of discussion and conjecture as to the best kinds 

 of flies for particular countries and waters, so cumbrous 

 and voluminous as to be quite forbidding and con- 

 founding to the younger professors of the art. Im- 

 agination has been allowed to usurp the place of 

 judgment, and trifling theories that of comprehensive 

 and well-digested experience. A fly-fisher goes to the 

 waters agitated by a thousand fancies as to what kind 

 and colour of fly the fish are likely to take ; and if he 

 be not successful in hooking fish after three or four 

 casts, down he squats and puts on another set of flies. 

 This sort of thing occupies nearly the whole day ; he is 

 constantly shifting his tackle, so that in the evening 

 his creel is as empty as it was in the morning. 



Now, we have long arrived at the conclusion, that 

 anglers are vastly more fastidious about the shape and 

 colour of their flies than trout are. The fact seems 

 to be, that when trout are inclined to feed on this kind 

 of bait, it does not much signify what shape or colour 

 your fly is, provided the size be strictly attended to. 

 Any great disproportion in this particular will decidedly 

 mar all chances of success. When a stream has been 

 completely covered with what is called the " May-fly," 

 and the fish rising at them in all directions, we have 

 often and often filled our creel in quick time with other 

 kinds of flies as opposite as possible, both in shape and 

 colour, from this particular insect. 



Now, it is a commonly received notion among many 

 expert anglers, that when trout are rising at these flies 

 they will scarcely look at anything else. Nothing can 

 be more erroneous, as experience will amply testify if 

 proper means be employed. True it is, we have 



