FLY-FISHING FOR TROUT 11 7 



attention. Some of the largest fish are taken in 

 this way ; though, to be sure, it is rather lonesome 

 work, unless one is accompanied by another brother 

 of the rod. 



Another very productive way of fly-fishing is 

 angling with what is known in England as a " blow- 

 line." This consists of a light floss or twist silk 

 reel line, and a single hook at the end of the 

 leader, on which is impaled a natural fly — a 

 " blow " or blue-bottle fly is the best. The only 

 time this lure can be used is when the wind is fav- 

 orable. It must be at your back, blowing either 

 up, or up and across, or down, or down and across ; 

 but, as you can fish from either bank, you have a 

 good choice of winds, and can fish quite a number 

 of days in the summer. It is especially fitted for 

 fishing the riflfles or shallows, and is very killing. 



The way to practise it is as follows : First, 

 catch your blue-bottles — the butcher will gladly 

 spare you what he has, and a gauze insect collec- 

 tor's net is the most useful device for their capture. 

 Then kill them by pinching their heads ; next tie 

 a fine piece of silk thread around each one ; pre- 

 pare, say, two dozen in this way before repairing 

 to the stream. You will not regret the time it 

 takes. 



