CLASSES OF CONDITIONS 151 



well in windy weather when the surface of the stream 

 is strongly rippled is less likely to come short than the 

 same fish taking surface food in a dead calm. Some 

 authorities go as far as to say that a badly dressed fly, 

 one out of proportion to the living insect, or one in 

 which the shades of colour in the different parts of it 

 are not accurately matched to those of the natural fly, 

 will often result in the trout coming short, while with 

 the well-dressed, properly proportioned and perfectly 

 coloured imitation it would fasten. 



When a trout is lost at the first run it is not un- 

 usual to find a tiny scale affixed to the hook. As 

 there are no scales inside its mouth, the fish has evi- 

 dently been hooked outside, and it is another case of 

 coming short. 



Anything like the smallest trace of drag, or even 

 an unnatural gyration of the artificial as it comes over 

 the fish, may well tend to rouse its suspicions at the 

 last moment and impel it to try to eject the bundle 

 of feathers and hook instead of sucking it in, as would 

 be the case if it had taken a dun or other natural fly. 



