tically applied as well as studied, in the same way that all merely theoretical knowledge is, à priori, inferior. 6 Throwing the line claims our first attention, for a perfect knowledge of that process is the first thing to be acquired by the tyro in fly-fishing. "You may have," says Fitzgibbon, "the best rod and tackle that ever appeared on the banks of the Dove, and you may have toleration' to fish in the most closely preserved parts of that lovely stream—in those parts that are absolutely alive with trout and grayling- but if you do not know how to throw, cast, or fling a line in the manner of an artist, you will not be able to make a single fin show itself above the surface of the water. 'He throws a fly as well as any man in England,' is a common eulogistic expression, as if perfection in that single operation was a guarantee that the adept was equally skilled in everything that pertains to his art. It is tantamount to saying he is the best fly-fisher in England." * While we are quite willing to admit the great importance of throwing the line, it would be contrary to our experience to say that we agree, in toto, with the writer whose remarks we have quoted in the text. The mechanical act of throwing the line may be acquired by many a man who is too clumsy or impatient, or who does not possess sufficient judgment, to play and land a fish in a We presume that it would be something like a waste of time to give directions for putting together the rod, fastening on the reel, passing the line through the rings, and so forth. These simple processes may be learned in a few moments from the person from whom you purchase your fishing gear; or rather, we ought perhaps to say, that if they do not suggest themselves to the tyro, he will have a hard task to understand and master the instructions necessary to make him an accomplished craftsman, depending, as they must obviously do, so much upon the exercise of his own ability and judgment. We proceed, then, with more important instructions, which we shall convey in as graphic and familiar a manner as we are able. * O! here you are, gentle Tyro, awaiting your Magister basket, landing-net, and all. Verily, you are well caparisoned, and I hope will not realise the epigram-for young anglers often do— "Arm'd cap-a-pie with baskets, bags, and rods, At night his looks the woful truth announce, proper manner, and who, therefore, cannot be allowed the slightest claim to the title of a skilful angler, though his throwing be unexceptionable. But be not dispirited-attend to me, and we will see what can be done. Here we are by the river's side-our rods together, and our lines and collars ready for action. Stop! do not be impatient; you see, that unlucky attempt will give you five minutes' amusement in disentangling your line. You must watch my movements attentively, and understand my instructions, before you proceed to exhibit. You perceive that I grasp my rod firmly, with my right hand, just above the reel-the line being passed between my fingers and the rod, to prevent it from running out ad libitum. A sharp impulsion of my wrist sends the rod back over my shoulder, and the line unfolds itself behind me. Pausing a single moment, I bring it forward in the same manner; and when the line comes about a yard above the surface of the water, in its descent, I suddenly check the movement of my arm, which causes the line to remain hovering, as it were, over the spot I aimed at; and then, slowly and floatingly, it alights like a gossamer, and as straight as an arrow. I throw, indeed, as if the surface of the water were a yard higher than it really is; and if you remember to do this you will find your progress greatly advanced thereby. But now for your performance. Really (to coin a word) you attitudise to perfection — evidently forgetting that you are neither congeeing to a lady nor thrashing in a barn. Now, I declare, you are just as bad the other way-bolt upright, and rigid as an EgypYou somewhat resemble a self tian mummy. arm - acting pump, the handle of which—to wit, your performs its movements at intervals of a minute or so. Properly, you should stand upright to make a cast, and as your line descends upon the water, bend yourself, gracefully, a little forward. No: not to an angle of forty-five degrees -say fifteen. Now you are all right as to position. * Crack! Ah! the knell of a departed fly-produced by your whip-like management of the rod. That forward movement was made too quickly - you did not allow sufficient time for the line to unfold itself behind you, and the loss of your front fly (I beg pardon, stretcher,) is the consequence. But on with another, and try again; and again; — you improve every time. By Jupiter! another fly gone. Never mind, you must expect such casualties. I lost a dozen on my debut-day, so, as a punishment for my extravagance, I was kept flyless for a week, and I learned to throw with the bare line-not a bad plan, perhaps, for you to adopt. But on, on remember that Izaac himself was once as clumsy. Take for your motto "perseverance," it, and you must and will succeed. act upon But why that shout? O, a skip-jack hopped over your line, and you thought it was a salmon. Well, well, your excitement augurs much,— it proves that you take an interest in the sport, and, in that case, my best rod against a farthing eel hook that your improvement will be rapid. ** There! you had a fine rise without seeing it. Marry, you must have your eyes about you, and they must be as sharp as a Basilisk's, or you will never shine as a fly-fisher. An adept in the sport would have struck that fish, and thereby, probably, secured him. Striking is an art which you must spare no pains to acquire. It is performed by raising the point of the rod suddenly but gently up, by a rapid but slight motion of the wrist; and it must be done on the instant that the fish rises at your fly. The object is to fix the hook before the fish has time to eject it from its mouth, which, on discovering the deception, it instantly endeavours to do, if not already hooked. Never forget to strike quickly and gently,without the slightest approach to violence, for the mere tightening of the line will be sufficient |