HABITS OF THE FISH. 7 



but most glorious fly-fishing — whether natural or artifi- 

 cial insects are used — whether spinning or trolling with 

 alive, dead, or artificial bait in mid-water, or laying seductive 

 worms, gentles, or paste near the river bottom. Fish are 

 not easily entrapped by the uninitiated. Skill and experience 

 must be brought into play ere the angler can fill his creeli 

 and these must be aided by no little special knowledge. 



The fly-fisher must be in a certain sense an artist and a 

 naturalist. He has to represent as best he can, by means 

 of different substances of varied delicacy, tissue, and colour, 

 insects of the most diverse forms and changeable hues. 

 He must do his work with the most perfect neatness. 

 He must know well the outward form of many varieties of 

 insects, their habits and localities, as well as the seasons in 

 which they live and die. He should know which is likely 

 to prove the most attractive food for the fish he angles for, 

 and when to use it. Every kind and species ought to be 

 associated in his mind with the proper place and the proper 

 season. To do this well requires no little special know- 

 ledge, which I will help him to attain, and then he will 

 be able to appreciate the truth of the doctrine, the " better 

 angler the better man." 



CHAPTER 11. 

 pish: their habits, senses, and haunts. 



••Ay," says the tender-hearted sentimentalist, "it is all 

 very well to write enthusiastically on the pleasure of fish- 

 ing, but how about the poor fish ?" 



Hoiv about the poor fah 1 And we are forthwith treated 



