superior, if properly made, to that of the other sort of rods; upon leaving off fishing, the rod should be untied, and the string wrapped round the two parts, for carrying it more conveniently*.

When the rod is joined, and the reel (which should have a multiplying Wheel) properly fixed thereon, the line is to be brought from it through the rings upon the rod; to this the foot-length is to be looped, and which should be about three yards and a half long, made of strong single silk-worm gut well tied, and the knots whipped, running a little finer towards the lower end, where there must likewise be a whipped loop. The first fly or Stretcher, (which should be made to one or two lengths, nicely whipped together, of level-gut, as fine or rather smaller than that of the foot-length, with a loop at the end to fasten to it,) is to be looped to the footlength, and then the Drop-fly (just above a knot where it is whipped) a yard or more from the Endfly, and to hang from the line not more than two

*If the Top, or any other part of the Rod, should by accident break, cut the two broken ends with a long slope, so that they exactly fit together; spread some wax very thin on each slope, and with waxed thread or silk, according as the size of the fractured part requires, bind them neatly together; to fasten off, lay the fore finger of the left hand over the binding, and with the right, make four turns of the thread over it, then pass the End of the thread between the under side of the finger and rod, and withdraw the finger; lastly, with the fore finger and thumb of the right hand, take hold of the first of the turns, and gathering as much as can be of it, bind until the three remaining turns are wound off, and afterwards take hold of the End, which had before been put through, and draw it close. The Engraving will further explain the method.

or three inches; if more flies are fished with, they must be kept about the same distance; observing, that if the Drop-flies be larger, or even as big as the Stretcher, a good line cannot be thrown. (A beginner should never use but a single fly, and until he is a proficient, every throw will go near to cost him a hook; it is therefore best to practise for some time without one.) Supposing this precaution to have been adopted, the line is to be let out half as long again as the rod, and the part near the fly held in the left hand; the rod is to be moved from right to left; and in moving it backwards in order to throw out the line, the hold of the left hand near the Fly is at the same instant to be abandoned: try several throws, and when perfect at this length, (of which nine yards are quite sufficient for any one to practise with,) extend the line, progressively using more, until any necessary length can be managed, remembering, that in raising the line to recast it, the Rod should be waved in a small circle round the head, and not brought immediately backwards; nor must the line be checked until it has gone to its full extent behind the thrower, or the end-fly will certainly be whipped off. There is great art in making the line fall light on the Water and shewing the flies well to the fish: perhaps the best mode is, after contriving to let the flies touch the Surface as lightly and naturally as possible, to raise the rod by degrees, and sometimes with a tremulous motion, which will bring them a little towards the Angler, still letting the flies go down the Stream, (never draw them against it, for it is Unnatural,) and before the line comes too near,

throw it out again. When a fish is seen to rise at a natural fly, cast about a yard above him, but not directly over his head, and let the fly or flies move gently towards him, by which they will be shewn in a more natural Attitude. Experience and Observation are however essential to complete an adept in the art, so as to enable him to throw his fly into holes, under banks, and other places mentioned as the haunts of the Trout, and where in general the largest sized ones are to be met with. In angling for Trout, whether with a fly, or at the ground, there is no occasion for more than three or four trials at a Spot*.

During the Summer, even when the water is quite low and clear, no wind stirring, and the Sun shining in its utmost lustre, and in the hottest part of the day, it is insisted Trout may be taken (although very few Anglers are disposed to credit it) with a small wren's tail, grouse, smoky dun, and black hackles, fishing straight down the water, by the sides of streams and banks; keeping out of sight and with

WALTON's instructions for artificial fly-fishing, were for the fisherman always to throw the line before him, so that the fly first touched the Surface, with as little of the line as could be avoided; though in a stiff wind it would be necessary to drown some of the line, to keep the fly in the water; to make the most of the wind in casting the fly, either to the further or nearer bank, according to the Course of the river, always endeavouring to keep it at his back, and to stand as far from the bank as the length would permit when fishing the opposite one; and when constrained to fish on the same side whereon he stands, to place himself on the very brink of the Current, and cast his fly at the utmost extent of his rod and line, up or down the River as the Gale serves.

as long a line as can conveniently be managed, with the foot length very fine: they may be often seen with their fins above water, at which time they will eagerly snap at the above-mentioned flies; and though upon hooking one the rest will fly off, they will soon be composed, and return for two or three times.

At the time of the Year when the Trouts retire to the deeps in still water, they will often take very well when there is a proper bottom, provided the wind is strong, to make a good curl, particularly if it blows across the water; the Angler will of course fish with the wind in his back, not only for the advantage of throwing his line, but because the fish will be on that side, waiting for flies that are blown from the grass and trees into the stream; he will also keep out of sight, and fish the nearest bank to him. In a warm wind keep the flies as much upon the Surface and in View as possible; but with the wind bleak and cold, allow them to sink a little beneath it: in such weather fish take under water, and in a manner hook themselves, not rising or taking so freely, but more surely, than when they rise to the Top.

In fly-fishing the Angler should recollect to take with him some portion of all the different Materials for Fly-making: so whimsical sometimes are Trouts that they may be seen to take insignificant flies greedily, which at other times they would not lock at. When this happens catch one of such flies, and try how nearly Art can imitate Nature, by framing one as similar as can be. The fish-basket and landing-net he should likewise be equipped with.