TROUT FLY-FISHING. 34I 



here is, let the current carry your flies down stream, until the 

 dropper bobs enticingly on the water. Play them on each 

 side of the little rift, drawing them towards you and allowing 

 them to drift off again. If there are fish in the hole they will 

 be jumping at the dropper, or tugging at the stretcher. 

 Three to one they will hook themselves ; if they don't, strike 

 gently at each tug or jump, as if you were fishing with a bait, 

 but not drawing your flies entirely from the water. I have 

 taken good fish in the small tributaries of a larger stream in 

 this way, the monarch of the rift always first, and his succes- 

 sors in order, according to size. The head of a mill-dam, 

 where a rapid meets the back-water, is invariably a good 

 place. 



I have already said or intimated, that on a bright day 

 Trout will always rise better in the shade. Therefore when 

 a pool is of equal depth across, one side of it may be better in 

 the morning, and the other side in the afternoon. There are 

 many good pools also which are not shaded on either side, or 

 where persons pass frequently, or show themselves to the 

 fish; here they scarcely rise until after sundown. Such 

 places are often fished without success by an angler, and in a 

 very short time one who follows him may have good sport. 

 The largest fish are nearly always taken after the sun is 

 down, or at least off the water. 



But of all places commend me in the still of the even- 

 ing, to the long placid pool, shallow on one side, with deeper 

 water and an abrupt overhanging bank opposite. Where the 

 sun has shone all day, and legions of ephemera sported in its 

 declining rays ; the bloom of the rye or clover scenting the 

 air from the adjoining field ! Now light a fresh pipe, and 

 put on a pale Ginger Hackle for your tail-fly, and a 

 little white-winged Coachman for your dropper. Then wade 

 in cautiously — move like a shadow — don't make a ripple. 



