The Value of Observation

The Value of Observationheretofore had been that if a fly were placed a yard
or so above this point and allowed to float down to
The beginner must learn to look with eyes that see.the rock a feeding fish would rush forward-often as
Occurrences of apparently little importance at themuch as two feet-and take it, immediately turning or
moment may, after consideration, assumebacking into his position again. I had assumed from
proportions of great value. The taking of an insect,this observation when the fly passed the rock or
for instance, may mean nothing more than a risingbackwater without a rise it should be retrieved and
trout; but the position occupied by this fish mayanother try made.
indicate the position taken by others in similar water.This fish satisfied me, however, that when really
The flash of a trout, changing his position preparatoryfeeding, or when inclined to feed, trout may be lured
to investigating the angler's fly, will frequently disclosecomparatively long distances by inviting-looking
the spot occupied by him before he changed hismorsels. Either he did not decide to take the fly until
position; and, later on, when the fish are not in thejust as it was passing him or else he liked the
keenest mood for feeding, a fly presented thereexercise of the chase. In any event, he was not
accurately may bring a rise. The quick dart up-streampeculiar in his habit, because four more fish were
of a small trout from the tail of a pool is a pretty fairtaken in the same manner the same day.
indication that a large fish occupies the deeper waterIn most cases when the fly is cast above a boulder
above; it indicates just as certainly, however, thatlying in swift water (which I consider, under certain
the angler has little chance of taking him, theconditions, one of the best places to look for brown
excitement of the smaller fish having probably beentrout) it will be taken as it approaches the rock, the
communicated to his big relative.trout darting out and retiring immediately to avoid
The backwater formed by a swift current on thebeing caught in the swifter water on either side of
upstream side of a boulder is a favourite lurking-placehis stronghold. But if it is not taken, and is permitted
of brown trout. I was fishing such places one day,to float down with the current, it may bring a
and found the trout occupying them in rather aresponse.
taking mood. In approaching a boulder which lookedIt was a somewhat similar observation which
particularly inviting, and while preparing to deliver myprompted the practice and, I must say, rather
fly, I was amazed to see the tail and half the bodydubious development of what some of my friends
of a fine trout out of the water at the side of theare pleased to call the "fluttering" or "bounce" cast.
rock.This cast is supposed to represent the action of the
For a moment I could not believe that I had seen afluttering insect, the fly merely alighting upon the
fish-the movement was so deliberate and I came towater, rising, alighting again, repeating the movement
the conclusion that it was fancy or that athree or four times at most; finally coming to rest
water-snake, gliding across the stream, had shownand being allowed to float down-stream. It rarely
itself. Almost immediately, however, I saw the flashcomes off, but when it does it is deadly; and, for the
of a trout as he left the backwater and dashedgood of the sport, I am glad but when it does it is
pell-mell into the swift water at the side of thedeadly; and, for the good of the sport, I am glad
boulder.that it is difficult, though sorry, too, for the pleasure
Down-stream he came until he was eight or ten feetof accomplishing it successfully is really greater than
below the rock, when, turning sharply and rising tothat of taking fish with it.
the surface, he took from it some insect that I couldThe cast is made with a very short line-never over
not see. Up-stream again he went, and shortlytwenty-five feet-and the fly alone touches the
resumed his position in the dead water, showing halfwater. The action of the fly is very similar to that
his body as he stemmed the current at the side ofproduced by the method known as "dapping," but
the rock. Once more this performance was repeated,instead of being merely dangled from the rod, as is
and I knew I had stumbled upon an interestingthe case when "dapping," the fly is actually cast. It
experience.should be permitted to float as far as it will after its
Hastily measuring the distance, hoping to get my flyfluttering or skipping has ceased.
to him before some natural insect might excite himThe beginner practising the cast will do well to cast
to give another exhibition of gymnastic feeding, Iat right angles to the current, and he should choose
dropped it about three feet above him, and, contraryrather fast water for his experimenting. The speed
to my usual method of retrieving it as it floated pastof the water will cause the fly to jump, and the
the up-stream side of the boulder, I permitted it toaction it should have will be the more readily
come down riding the top of the wave, when thesimulated than if the first attempts are made on slow
same flash came as the trout dashed after it.water.
The fish could be plainly seen almost directly under----------------------SIDEBAR-----------------------
the fly. As it reached the rapidly flattening waterOlder fly fishing classics contain a wealth of
below the rock, he turned and took it viciously,knowledge for the beginner fly fisher as well as the
immediately darting up-stream again. He was soundlyexperienced angler.
hooked, however, and I netted a fine fish lacking oneThe preceding article was an excerpt from: "Secrets
ounce of being a pound and a half. My experienceTo Fishing The Dry Fly - Vol II" by G.M.