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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Blacker's Art of Fly Making, &c. + Comprising Angling, & Dyeing of Colours, with Engravings + of Salmon & Trout Flies + +Author: William Blacker + +Release Date: April 2, 2011 [EBook #35752] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKER'S ART OF FLY MAKING, &C. *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<h1>BLACKER'S, +ART OF FLY MAKING, &c.,</h1> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> +<p>Clicking on any of the plates but the first (FLY FISHING) will provide the reader with a larger version for more +detail.</p> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + +<div class='copyright'><br /> +ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL.<br /> +<br /> + +<br /><br /> +LONDON:<br /> +PRINTED BY GEO. NICHOLS, EARL'S COURT,<br /> +LEICESTER SQUARE.<br /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="frontis" id="frontis"></a> +<img src="images/i_005.jpg" width="500" height="362" alt="FLY FISHING" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 386px;"><a name="titlepage" id="titlepage"></a> +<img src="images/i_006.png" width="386" height="700" alt="Title page" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='center'>PATRONISED BY H.R.H. PRINCE ALBERT.</div> + + + +<h1>BLACKER'S, +ART OF FLY MAKING, &c.,</h1> + +<div class='center'> +COMPRISING ANGLING,<br /> +& DYEING OF COLOURS,<br /> +<br /> +WITH ENGRAVINGS<br /> +OF SALMON & TROUT FLIES<br /> +SHEWING THE PROCESS<br /> +OF THE GENTLE CRAFT<br /> +AS TAUGHT IN<br /> +THE PAGES.<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF<br /> +FLIES FOR THE SEASON<br /> +OF THE YEAR<br /> +AS THEY COME OUT<br /> +ON THE WATER.<br /> +<br /> +REWRITTEN & REVISED<br /> +BY THE AUTHOR<br /> +BLACKER, HIMSELF,<br /> +FISHING TACKLE MAKER<br /> +OF 54, DEAN ST, SOHO,<br /> +LONDON.<br /> +<br /> +1855.<br /></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Page.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Preface</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_v">v</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Art of Fly Making</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>An Easy Method to make the Trout Fly</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>An Easy Method of making a Plain Salmon Fly</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To make the Trout Fly, in the best and most approved method</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To make the Palmer, or Double-Hackle Fly</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>How to make the Salmon Fly, as shown in the Beautiful Plate of Engravings on Salmon Hooks</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Process of making the Gaudy Salmon Fly</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To make the Winged Larva</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>A Catechism of Fly-Making</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Trout Flies for the Season</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Flies for March</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Flies for April</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Flies for May</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Flies for June</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Flies for July</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Flies for August</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fishing Rods and Fly Fishing</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fly Fishing for Salmon</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span>An Account of the Salmon, and its Varieties</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Salmon Fry</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>A Description of the Fifteen Salmon Flies Engraved in the Plates</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Spring Flies</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Salmon Rivers</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Tweed</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Shannon</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Lakes of Clare</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Lakes of Killarney</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lough Curran, Waterville</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_133">133</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Connamara and Ballynahinch</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_138">138</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ballyna</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ballyshannon</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Rivers Bush and Bann</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Bann</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lakes of Westmeath</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Lee, at Cork</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Salmon Rivers in Scotland</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Tay</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Dee and Don</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Spey</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Findhorn</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_179">179</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Rivers and Lakes adjacent to Fort William, on the Caledonian Canal</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_180">180</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Salmon Flies for Fort William, &c.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Salmon Flies for the Ness</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_187">187</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Shin</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Thurso</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span>The River Esk</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_194">194</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Loch Leven</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_195">195</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Allan</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Loch Awe and River</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_200">200</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Rivers Irvine, Girvan, and Stincher, in Ayrshire</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Rivers of Wales.—The Conway</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Dovey</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Tivey</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Wye, Monmouth</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_207">207</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The River Severn</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Trent</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_209">209</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Rivers of York and Derby</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_210">210</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Hodder</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Rivers of Derby</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Rivers Wandle and Coln</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_212">212</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Bait Fishing.—The River Thames</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_216">216</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Perch</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_218">218</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Barbel</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_219">219</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pike</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Roach</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_224">224</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dace</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_226">226</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Carp</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_226">226</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Chub</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_227">227</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Gudgeons and Minnows</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Baits</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Art of Dyeing Fishing Colours</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_232">232</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Yellow</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_234">234</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Brown</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_236">236</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye a Yellow-Brown</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_237">237</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span>To Dye Blue</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_238">238</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Red</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_239">239</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Orange</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Purple or Violet</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_241">241</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Crimson</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_241">241</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Scarlet.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_242">242</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Crimson Red in Grain</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_243">243</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Green Drake Feathers and Fur</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_243">243</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Claret</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Another way to Dye Claret</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_245">245</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Black</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_246">246</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Greens of various Shades</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_246">246</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Lavender or Slate Dun, &c.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_247">247</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Blues</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_248">248</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>A Silver Grey</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_248">248</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>A Coffee or Chesnut</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_249">249</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>To Dye Olives and a Mixture of Colours</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_249">249</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>A Concise way of Dyeing Colours</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_250">250</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Materials necessary for Artificial Fly Making</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_256">256</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>I know not how to apologise for submitting +a Second Edition of this little Book to +the notice of the Angling few, after the +appearance of so many by clever writers, +except the many calls I had for it, and a +sincere desire of improving farther upon a +craft that has not hitherto been clearly promulgated +by a real practitioner; consequently +my great object is to benefit and +amuse my readers, by giving them something +practical, which at the present time may be +particularly wanted by those who love to +make their own flies, whose wants, without +doubt, will be found sufficiently supplied in +this book; the tyro will appreciate it as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> +valuable to him, and the senior angler who +may, perchance, be in possession of it, and +who may be singularly fond of making his +flies, and amusing himself dyeing the hackles +and colours, &c., will, I am persuaded, consider +it a treasure.</p> + +<p>My endeavours have been unceasing for +many years past, in striving to please the +great Salmon Fishers and Trout Fishers of +this Country, and I must confess that my +labours have not been in vain; they have +generously conferred upon me their very kind +patronage and good will, benefits for which +I hold them in very great estimation. Under +these circumstances, I have taken much pains +to write the book in a befitting manner to +suit their tastes and purposes, although my +inability in many instances has been an +obstacle, nevertheless with all my faults I +claim the title of Fisherman, an humble and +unimportuned name which no reasonable +dispensation can deprive me of.</p> + +<p>From my boyhood, I took great delight in +ranging along the banks of the beautiful and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span> +romantic streams of my native land, Ireland; +and having also been for many years a skilful +Fly Fisher of no little commendation, in both +Great Britain and Hibernia, it is my desire to +impart to the world, plainly and easily, the +knowledge I have acquired, that all those +who wish to become masters of the art, +may, by patience and practice, and a close +adherence to the instructions I shall lay +down, derive the fullest benefit from my +experience.</p> + +<p>I have endeavoured in the following treatise +on Fly-making, to divest the subject, as far +as possible, of all technicalities and superfluities; +at the same time, I have entered into +such full details in the construction of the +Fly, that by adopting the process I have +pointed out, and following the instructions I +have given, the aspirants to the art of Fly-making +may speedily become proficients.</p> + +<p>In this little book there will be found +nothing imaginary, but it is purely written +from the practice of angling, so that I may +without scruple, justly entitle it <span class="smcap">The Art<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span> +of Fly-making, Angling, and Dyeing +of Colours</span>. It is also interspersed with +many useful remarks that will no doubt +agreeably entertain my readers.</p> + +<p>No man has taken such pains to improve +upon the angler's craft as I; on every article +in the whole range of fishing tackle I have +made some improvement on rods, flies, lines, +reels, and tackle of every sort; and in these +pages have left a lasting memorial of my +handicraft to the fly-fisher, from whom I +have hidden nothing that might retard him in +his progress, and who will appreciate it for +the great deal of matter propounded in little +compass to prevent incumbrance; that the +lovers of fly fishing, which has superior +claims, may have an opportunity of keeping +it in their side pocket,—to be convenient and +handy when on their piscatory excursions, the +exercise and variety of which will be found +advantageous to the health, and the calming +of the mind—things not to be purchased; +enjoying at the same time the harmonious +notes of the warblers of the grove, and musing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span> +upon the diversity of the prospects around, +while straying along the beautiful streams +and vallies of this delightful country.</p> + +<p>The list of flies I have given, will be found +very valuable, and the tyro will take great +delight in imitating these flies necessary for +use, and suiting the colours exactly to each, +keeping to their symmetrical forms as they +appear with his light materials. This beautiful +branch of fly-making, peculiarly my own, +cannot fail to perfect the angler who is +scientific and ingenious, the result of which +will be never-failing success.</p> + +<p>I have added to the art of fly-making full +instructions, and the most approved receipts +for dyeing mohair, pighair, feathers, and other +materials most useful and appropriate for +imitating the natural flies and stuffs the most +killing for Trout and Salmon; and which +will retain their brilliancy through all the +vicissitudes to which they may be exposed.</p> + +<p>To bring the Engravings of the flies to +the greatest perfection, I have stood at the +elbow of the artist who executed this part of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span> +the work, that they might be turned out +exact to my own models, which renders them +and the descriptions more intelligible, as the +shade in the fibre of each feather is shown in +the plate, in the clearest and finest manner +imaginable, that it may be properly seen +how these artificial flies are constructed,—the +resemblance of those beautiful ones, the +productions of the Great Author of Nature, +that Trout and Salmon do love to feed upon.</p> + +<p>I have also given the principal rivers of +England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, with +the flies best adapted to each, which will +enable the fisher to have all things in readiness +on his arrival at their localities, and +sally out on the finny tribe fearless of disappointment; +and for the younger branch of +anglers, I have shown the various sorts of +fish, with the tackle and baits best adapted +to catch them.</p> + +<p>The catechism of fly making which I have +introduced will be found very curious and +instructive to the young beginner, and will +afford him every opportunity of retaining<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span> +the whole process, that when rehearsed in +the mind, and perfectly understood, he may +apply, with more certain facility, the hand +to both material and hook.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span style="margin-right: 5em;"><span class="smcap">Published by the Author</span>,</span><br /> +WILLIAM BLACKER,<br /> +</div> + +<div> +<i>At 54, Dean Street, Soho,<br /> +1855.</i><br /></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 306px;"> +<img src="images/i_019.png" width="306" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v_2" id="Page_v_2">[v]</a></span></p> + +<h2>List of Plates.</h2> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Plates"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'>Plate</td><td align='right'>Page</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>1. </td><td align='left'>Blacker Fly-fishing</td><td align='right'><a href="#frontis">Frontispiece.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>2. </td><td align='left'><a href="#titlepage">Titlepage.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>3. </td><td align='left'>An easy method to make the Trout-fly</td><td align='right'><i>opposite</i> <a href="#Plate_3">3</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>4. </td><td align='left'>An easy method of making a Salmon-fly</td><td align='right'><a href="#Plate_4">8</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>5. </td><td align='left'>The best method of making a Trout-fly</td><td align='right'><a href="#Plate_5">13</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>6. </td><td align='left'>To make the Palmer's</td><td align='right'> <i>to face</i> <a href="#Plate_6">20</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>7. </td><td align='left'>How to make the Salmon-fly</td><td align='right'><a href="#Plate_7">23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>8. </td><td align='left'>Process of making the Gaudy Salmon-fly</td><td align='right'><i>opposite</i> <a href="#Plate_8">30</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>9. </td><td align='left'>The plate of Feathers</td><td align='right'> <i>to face</i> <a href="#Plate_9">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>10. </td><td align='left'>To make the Winged Larva</td><td align='right'><a href="#Plate_10">42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>11. </td><td align='left'>Plate of Six Flies Catechism</td><td align='right'><a href="#Plate_11">46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>12. </td><td align='left'>Plate of 15 Trout-flies</td><td align='right'><i>opposite flies for March</i> <a href="#Plate_12">57</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>13. </td><td align='left'>Plate of 16 Flies</td><td align='right'><i>opposite</i> <a href="#Plate_13">65</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>14. </td><td align='left'>Plate of Larvas and Green Drakes</td><td align='right'><i>opposite</i> <a href="#Plate_14">78</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>15. </td><td align='left'>Plate of Gaudy Flies, Nos. 1, 2, 3,</td><td align='right'><i>opposite</i> <a href="#Plate_15">105</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>16. </td><td align='left'>Plate of three Salmon-flies, Nos. 4, 5, 6,</td><td align='right'><i>opposite</i> <a href="#Plate_16">108</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>17. </td><td align='left'>Plate of four Flies, Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10</td><td align='right'><a href="#Plate_17">110</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>18. </td><td align='left'>Large Spring Salmon-fly</td><td align='right'><a href="#Plate_18">116</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>19. </td><td align='left'>Plate of 7 Flies and Salmon</td><td align='right'> <i>to face</i> <a href="#Plate_19">145</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>20. </td><td align='left'>Plate of Minnow tackle, &c.</td><td align='right'> <i>to face</i> <a href="#Plate_20">216</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>21. </td><td align='left'>Plate of Pike tackle, &c.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Plate_21">221</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>22. </td><td align='left'>Paternoster and Barbel tackle</td><td align='right'><a href="#Plate_22">230</a></td></tr> +</table><br /><br /></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/deco.png" width="200" height="24" alt="" title="" /> +<br /><br /></div> + + +<div class="hang1"><i>An Extract of a Review of William Blacker's Art of +Fly Making, &c. &c. &c., taken from "Bell's +Life in London," April 8th, 1855.</i></div> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">The Art of Fly Making, Angling & Dyeing +of Colours. By W. Blacker</span>,—Mr. Blacker has been +a celebrated trout and salmon angler from early boyhood, +and he is known to be the best maker of trout and salmon +flies alive. We have never seen such flies as his, for +naturalness of shape, appropriateness of colour and for +beauty and solidity of finish. In making flies he has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi_2" id="Page_vi_2">[vi]</a></span> +"caught a grace beyond the reach of art," and this he +exhibits in the <i>Sanspareil</i> work before us. It contains no +fewer than seventeen engravings on steel and copper, of +trout and salmon flies, in every stage of fabrication, from +the whipping of hook and gut together to the finishing of +the head. These engravings, every plate crowded with +figures, are executed after his own models and under his +own <i>Surveillance</i>, and carefully and beautifully coloured, +he standing, as he says, "by the artist's elbow." They +contain coloured representations of hackles, wing-feathers, +fur, silk, tinsel, in their natural state, and prepared for +forming the artificial insect. His profusely illustrated +instructions for making salmon-flies are entirely original +there being nothing at all like them in any work extant, +and he must be a dull scholar indeed, who shall not, after +brief study of them, become his own salmon fly dresser. +Mr. Blacker withholds no secret and spares no pains in +developing by the aid of pen and pencil his own method, +and we consider it the best, of making artificial flies for +every variety of trout and salmon. He gives numerous, +well-tried recipes for dying feathers and all other materials, +the colours necessary for the successful operations of the fly-maker. +He points out how rods are best made, the best +sort of winches, lines and hooks, and proves himself a safe +guide to the purchaser. He teaches how the rod, and line +and flies, are to be used—the art of casting with them, how +a river is to be fished, and how a fish, whether trout or +salmon, is to be struck, hooked and landed. He describes +the best trout and salmon rivers in the empire, the right +season for fishing them, and gives an illustrated list of the +flies, stating the materials of what they are to be made, +that kill best on them. On flies, favourites of his from +experience, he dwells with pleased and pleasing minuteness, +and for the first time discloses how the "winged larva," a +deadly invention of his own, is to be constructed. Never, +was a book more honestly and conscientiously written. It +glows with deep-felt enthusiasm for his art, and with a +generous desire of revealing everything that pertains to the +perfect acquisition of it in all its branches. It is a work of +great labour and long pains-taking, unique at all points, and +no one could have written it but a practical angler of long, +passionate, and devoted experience in the capture of salmon +and salmonidæ, and of <i>ne plus ultra</i> perfection in the art of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii_2" id="Page_vii_2">[vii]</a></span> +making artificial flies, and concomitant fishing tackle. The +work is published by himself, at 54, Dean Street, Soho, and +we recommend it more earnestly than we have ever done +any other work of the sort."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'><i>An Extract from "Bell's Life," April 29th, 1855.</i></div> + +<p>"I shall copy a few of Mr. Blacker's patterns as given in +his recently-published and very valuable work, entitled <i>Art +of Fly Making, &c.</i> He is by far the best flymaker I have +ever known, and his opinions on flies and fly-fishing deserve +the attention of us all. In the book just named he says of +the Yellow Sally:—"This is the forerunner of the green +drake or May-fly. The trout take this little fly freely if +made after this description:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Body, buff-<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'cloured'">coloured</ins> fur and a small yellow hackle for legs round the +head; wings of the buff-coloured feather inside the wing of the +thrush. Hook, 13."</p> + +<p>"Several ways of imitating the May-fly. First, Blacker's, as given +in his Art of Fly Making:—The body of this beautiful fly is made of +yellow green mohair, the colour of a gosling newly hatched, and +ribbed with yellow-brown silk, a shade of light brown mohair at the +tail, and a tuft of the same at the shoulder, picked out between the +hackle, the whisks of the tail three black hairs, three-quarters of +an inch long; the hackle to be dyed a greenish buff (dye, according +to my recipe, a silver dun hackle with bars across it, called a cuckoo,) +or a light ginger hackle bordering on yellow. The wings, which +should be made full, and to stand upright, are made of mallard's +feathers dyed of a greenish buff, or yellowish shade; a brown head +of peacock harl tied neatly above the wings on a No. 6 hook. The +wings may be made of the tops of two large dyed mallard's feathers, +with fibres stripped off at the butts of the stems, tied back to back. +These feathers stand up well and appear very naturally in the +water. Large-sized ones kill well in lakes, with bright yellow mohair +bodies ribbed with gold twist.</p> + +<p>"Second way, from A Handbook of Angling.—Body, bright yellow +mohair, or floss silk, ribbed sparingly with light bronze peacock harl; +wings, mottled feather of the mallard dyed a pale yellow green. +They are to stand nearly erect, and to be slightly divided. Legs, a +couple of turns of a red-ginger hackle; tail, three hairs from the +rabbit's whisker. Hook, 5, 6, and 7.—Another way: Body, yellow-brown +mohair; wings, mallard's feather dyed yellow, and black head; +legs, yellowish hackle; tail and hooks as before. During the season +of the May-fly, should the weather be gloomy, with a strong warm +wind, I would angle with three flies on the casting-line of different +sizes, and of colours slightly differing, buff, yellow, and yellow-green, +and one of them made buzz. The largest fly should be used as the +stretcher; the smallest the upper bob."</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii_2" id="Page_viii_2">[viii]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'><i>An Extract from "Bell's Life," April 1st, 1855 "The +Ondine" in the Book of the Salmon, by "Ephemera,"</i></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Gold tip; tail, small, brilliant topping, light blue tag; body, blue +peacock harl, closely ribbed with fine gold twist; two joints of green +trogan feather, and one of red orange hackle under the wings, and +over their butts blue jay; wings, a careful mixture of fibres of bustard, +silver pheasant, yellow and blue macaw teal, guinea-hen and golden +pheasant tail and neck-feathers, surmounted by a topping; feelers, +blue and yellow macaw, and bright peacock harl, head. Hook, No. +7 and 8. This waterwitch, sculptured originally by Blacker, is properly +called "Ondine." The first time I saw it I nearly lost my senses, +and was upon the point of becoming its victim.</p> + +<p>"The May-fly and Phelim Rhu are best made by Blacker, of Dean +Street, Soho; Phelim is one of his many good inventions. Dressed +on the smallest sized grilse hook, it will on dark days and evenings, +and in full water kill sea trout and large common trout in every +locality. See a celebrated claret fly plate No. 4, page 108."</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'><i>Prince Albert's Letter to the Author, enclosing</i> £10.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Nearly eleven years have rolled by, since I sent a copy of the first +edition of this work to His Royal Highness Prince Albert, who +conferred upon me much honor by a favourable reply to it, at that time +I took great pains to illustrate it with specimens of the most costly +and beautifully executed salmon and trout flies imaginable, many of +which were worth a guinea a piece. In this new edition for 1855 +I have given numerous copperplates of these excellent killing flies +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'surperbly'">superbly</ins> painted to suit the rivers of Ireland, Scotland, England, +and Wales; such choice specimens are they that I think salmon and +trout will not refuse them in any river in <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Britian'">Britain</ins>, they are models +of gracefulness, and will prove very attractive to the finny tribe, they +are all general favourite flies of mine, and of the great salmon and +trout fly fishers of the present day. The angler should never fail to +try them wherever he roamed in rivers known or unknown to him, +and succesful experience has given me an opportunity of recommending +them with the greatest confidence, they have killed fish when +they have been half gnawed away, and as a fisherman I look upon +them with admiration although they are the work of my own fingers, +I think I will not say amiss if I predestinate that the real enthusiastic +fly fishers, nine out of ten, will be in love with them.</p></div> + + +<div class='center'>THE LETTER.</div> + +<div class='blockquot'><div class='right'> +"Buckingham Palace, May 7th, 1844.<br /> +</div> + +<p>"Mr. Anson is commanded by His Royal Highness +Prince Albert to enclose Mr. Blacker a cheque for ten +pounds for the Work on Angling which accompanied his +letter, the receipt of which he will have the goodness to +acknowledge."</p></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE ART OF FLY-MAKING,<br /> + +ETC., ETC.,</h2> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">By</span> WILLIAM BLACKER.</div> + + +<p>To give something that will convey a +durable and correct idea of Fly-making, +Angling, and Dyeing of Colours to my pupils, +is what I aim at, and desire they should +understand: for when they are inhaling the +fresh breezes on the river's bank, observing +with delight the varied tints and delicate forms +of the winged insects skimming the surface, +and the sportive trout, pitching over and over, +taking them down, this is the time, no doubt, +when far from the din of a busy town they will +thank me for my trouble in directing their +attention to the proper shades, which is the +most essential of all things in the Art to be +considered. The amusement and pleasing +recollections of the Fly-fisher, (when studying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +the various colours and materials necessary for +the formation of the artificial fly—those fanciful +ones which salmon take so freely, and the +imitating, if possible, by the aid of these +materials, those beautiful ones in Nature), will +be infinitely more pleasing than can be well +comprehended by a careless observer of the +craft. Many a pleasant hour may be spent, +that otherwise would prove tedious, when +confined to quarters of an unfavourable day, +far from home, looking over your dubbing +book and tying a fly. It gives relief to the +uneasy mind by calming the disorders that +disappointments may have caused, and by +cheering the hearts of those who pursue it as a +relaxation and enjoyment. The recommendations +on Angling are without number, and +there is nothing can delight the heart of the fly-fisher +so much as to see the fish rise at the flies +on the surface of the water, and their beautiful +appearance when landed on the bank; this, +with the varied scenery which the windings of +the river presents to the imagination, as you +roam along, are inducements that cannot fail +to gratify the admirer of sportive fish and +rushing streams.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 377px;"><a name="Plate_3" id="Plate_3"></a> +<a href="images/i_027-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_027.jpg" width="377" height="600" alt="AN EASY METHOD TO MAKE THE TROUT-FLY." title="" /></a> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + +<p>I have seen, in days when the fish are not +in the humour of taking, a fly tied neatly near +the tint, somewhat gaudy, will unquestionably +entice them to rise, and will decidedly be more +advantageous than fishing without plan. In +days when the natural flies are most numerous, +the trout will not take the artificial fly so freely; +on the contrary, when these insects are rarely +to be seen, if the angler can find the colour +that is then prevailing, and imitate it, his +success will be considerably increased.</p> + +<p>In these pages will be found descriptions of +Flies that will kill well in every river and lake +in the United Kingdom. And those in the +"Hand Book of Angling," and the "Book of +the Salmon," by the celebrated "Ephemera," +will also be found excellent throughout the +Kingdom.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>AN EASY METHOD TO MAKE THE TROUT FLY.</h2> + +<div class='center'>(<i><a href="#Plate_3">See Plate.</a></i>)</div> + + +<p>The tyro will provide himself with a dubbing +book, containing numerous compartments, to +hold feathers, furs, pig hair, mohair, hackles, +wing feathers, silk, tinsel, scissars, pliers, knife,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +and every other article necessary for fly-making—all +of which may be procured at my +Shop, 54, <span class="smcap">Dean Street, Soho</span>, with <span class="smcap">Rods</span>, +<span class="smcap">Reels</span>, <span class="smcap">Lines</span>, <span class="smcap">Gut</span>, <span class="smcap">Hooks</span>, <span class="smcap">Artificial Baits</span>, +and every denomination of <span class="smcap">Fishing Tackle</span>, +of the most superior quality in <span class="smcap">London</span>.</p> + +<p>Having laid out your materials on the table, +seat yourself by a good light, and proceed as +follows:—Take a piece of fine silk, and pin one +end of it on your knee, take the other end +between your left fore-finger and thumb, and +with the right, take a small piece of shoemaker's +wax, well tempered, and rub it all over +the silk, keeping it tight in your left till it is +all covered with the wax, rub it well on the end +you are about to tie on the hook with, to keep +it firm, for it will be found a very great object +to use the wax throughout the making of the +fly, as with the working of the tying silk it +rubs off with the hand. There is a very +beautiful silk of all colours to be had on spools, +which ribbons are made of, that works very +finely on the hook; when you wax it, take +two or three folds of it, and pin it evenly on +your knee, as before (or hold it between your +teeth and twist it), twist it gently between your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +fingers a little so that you can wax it well, provide +a piece of leather about an inch wide and +an inch and a half long, double it, and lay a +piece of nicely tempered wax between the folds, +flatten it, and when you wax the silk, take the +leather between your fingers, open the edge of +it, and rub the wax on the tying silk in the +same way as before, and you will not break the +silk so easily, or dirty your fingers with the +wax. You now take the hook by the bend in +the left fore-finger and thumb, give two or +three turns of the silk round the shank, flatten +the end of the gut a little, which keeps it from +drawing off, and tie it on underneath about +half way down the hook firmly, this done, lay +on a little varnish with your pencil. Take a +piece of finer silk to make the fly with, and +fasten it near the end of the shank, do not bring +the silk to the extreme end of the shank to +leave room for the wings, as they are apt to +slip over on the gut if tied on too near. You +strip off two pieces from the woodcock or +starling wing, and lay them together evenly +at the points, that the wings may be double +when tied on (see the Trout-fly wing cut out of +the woodcock feather, in the Plate), see that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +you do not make the wings too long when tying +them on, let them be a little longer than the +bend; press them tightly with your nails on the +hook where you tie them on, and do not clip the +ends of the wings with your nails, which gives +them an unnatural appearance, but whether +you lay them on first, or tie them on the +reverse way and turn them back, make a judgment +of the proper length; you now tie the +wings on the reverse way at the end of the +shank, with two or three rolls of the silk, give +a running knot over it, and clip off the refuse +ends of the roots of the feather; now before +you form the body or tie on the hackle, turn +the wings up in their place with the thumb +nail of the right, and divide them in equal +parts with a needle, draw the silk in and out +between them, take a turn or two over the +roots to keep them firmly in their place, and +fasten with a running knot behind them next +your left; then tie on the hackle, to suit the +size, by the root (the soft flue previously picked +off), close to the wings on its back, and give +a knot over it, take the hackle by the point in +your pliers, and roll it over the shank close +under the wings two or three times on its side,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +keeping the outside of it next the wings, then +draw it (the hackle) right through them, let the +pliers hang with the point of the hackle in +them at the head, and take two turns of the +tying silk over it, fasten on the end of the +shank which was left a little bare, cut off the +silk and hackle points, give another knot or so +to secure it before so doing, and lay on a little +varnish at the head; now tie on a piece of fine +tying silk opposite the barb on the shank, take +two fibres of a mallard feather and tie them on +about three-eighths of an inch long for tail, to +extend over the bend of the hook, and with +one knot tie on a piece of fine floss silk about +three inches long to rib the fly; mix a little of +the hare fur with yellow mohair, and draw a +small quantity of it out of the lump with the +right hand, take the hook by the bend in your +left, lay the silk and hair over the end of the +third finger, the hook being held in, twist the +silk and hair together and roll it finely to the +shoulder, give a running knot or two with the +silk close to the hackle, take care to have a +little more of the fur next the shoulder to +make the body nicely tapered; you may continue +to make the body from where you rolled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +on the hackle first, and fasten at the tail, and +roll the hackle over it if the fly is to be of a +long description; tail your fly, and tip it with +tinsel, and with two running knots finish +opposite the barb, at this point before you +finish, wax your silk well, and touch with your +varnish pencil: if there are any fibres of the +hackle or of the wing, or the hair standing in a +wrong direction, clip it off with your scissars, +and your fly is completed. You may tie on +floss silk or peacock's harl for the body the +same as the mohair; and you can perceive +that you may finish at the tail or at the shoulder, +according to fancy—do not lose sight of +this plan.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 354px;"><a name="Plate_4" id="Plate_4"></a> +<a href="images/i_034-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_034.jpg" width="354" height="600" alt="An easy method of making a Salmon Fly." title="" /></a> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>AN EASY METHOD OF MAKING A PLAIN SALMON FLY.</h2> + +<div class='center'>(<a href="#Plate_4"><i>See Plate.</i></a>)</div> + + +<p>Tie on the salmon hook to a length of twisted +gut or loop (see the gut and hook tied on in +the Plate of Salmon Hook, No. 1) firmly with +strong marking silk well waxed, and lay on a +little varnish; then take two pieces of turkey +tail feather of equal size, or mallard feather,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +according to the colour of the wings you intend +to make (see the turkey tail and mallard wings +prepared, in the plate of feathers), tie them on +the reverse way, a little longer than the bend +of the hook where they are turned up (see the +wings tied on the reverse way, Plate VII., on +Salmon Hooks); these are tied on as the trout +fly wings just described, and when turned up +appear like the wings of plate No. 1, in an +easy method of making a salmon fly—in this +plate may be seen every thing necessary in +making a plain salmon fly—these flies will be +found good killers a great way up rivers from +the sea. You hold the hook by the bend, and +tie in the hackle at the head of the fly by the +root end, and the tinsel to rib it in like manner +(see the hackle tied on and the tinsel, Plate II.); +about the same place where the hackle is tied +on, tie three or four harls of the peacock's tail, +twist them round the tying silk, and roll it +down to the tail, and fasten with a running +knot (see the body of Plate II.) the tying silk +is now left hanging at the tail, where may be +seen a small portion of the harl left cut, to +shew where it was fastened; you roll the tinsel +over the body to the same place and tie, three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +turns of the tinsel is sufficient; you then take +the hackle by the end in your right hand, and +roll it sideways in rotation with the tinsel, +twisting it in your finger and thumb as you +turn it over, to keep it slanting from the head, +tie it in at the same place with a running +knot, and clip off the ends of the hackle; you +may tie in a short tail at this place, wax your +silk, and finish with two or three running +knots, cut off the tying silk, and touch them +with a little varnish, to keep them from slipping—press +down the hackle between your fingers +which slants it to the tail—as the hackle is +run over the body from the head to the tail of +this fly, it will appear in the formation of the +body (Plate III., on Salmon Hooks); when the +fly is made with the hackle only struck round +the shoulder, take two or three turns of it +under the wings, and tie it in there (see Plate +III., in an easy method of making a Salmon +Fly). The body may be seen in this fly with +the tinsel rolled over it, and tied in at the tail; +a piece of the harl, tinsel and silk left to shew +how it is done. The tinsel and harl are cut +off, and with the tying silk, which is seen +hanging, tie on a tail of topping, or mohair,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +feather of macaw, mallard, or any other to suit +the taste or colour of the fly; you may tie on +an ostrich harl, or peacock's harl, head like +Plate I., where the tying silk may be seen +hanging: the three flies on this plate, which +are correctly engraved, will be found most +valuable to the young beginner; and it is an +expert method for the salmon fisher, when in a +hurry, to make a fly or two for immediate use.</p> + +<p>When you wish to mix plain wings without +dividing, tie them on first at the end of the +shank, and form the head like No. 1 in this +plate, which I think is the neatest of any, and +suits best in rivers not very full of water. If +you notice this plate correctly, it will be seen +to correspond with the shape of the natural +dragon fly; and as this fly, of various hues, is +reared at the bottom of the water, it must be +an alluring bait for the salmon and large trout; +for when it first leaves the element of its birth, +and proceeds to the banks of the river in a +very feeble state, directly it receives strength it +commences skimming the surface, preying upon +the insects flying in the air at this time, and, +when it comes weakly out of the water, the +fish, no doubt, take it freely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> + +<p>There is another sort of fly that proceeds +from the water, about the size of the flies on +this plate, the body of which is of the colour +of the blue feathers on the peacock's neck +exactly, its legs are a dark brown colour, almost +black, hanging long, and few of them; the +wings, which stand upright on its back, or I +may say, its head and shoulders, for the head +and wings at the roots, and legs spring all out +of the one lump which is very thick here in +comparison to its beautiful slender body of +many joints; the wings, I say, are a bronze +brown with a moon in all the four like the +peacock's tail feather, which in the artificial fly +would be just the colour mixed with a little +drake feather; there are some of them all +brown, and some with bright green bodies, and +blue green as above; all these beautiful insects +must afford food for the fish. This of course +accounts for the artificial representation in use, +and it cannot be denied that they take them +for natural ones, which the fly-fisher, according +to fancy, forms most fantastically, varying on +most of the rivers.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 373px;"><a name="Plate_5" id="Plate_5"></a> +<a href="images/i_041-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_041.jpg" width="373" height="550" alt="The best method of making a Trout-fly" title="" /></a> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<h2>TO MAKE THE TROUT FLY, IN THE BEST AND<br /> +MOST APPROVED METHOD.</h2> + +<div class='center'><i>(<a href="#Plate_5">See Plate with Picker</a>).</i></div> + + +<p>The reader will lay out his materials before +him on the table, which consist of hook, gut, +wings, hackle, feather for tail, body of fur, floss +silk, or peacock harl, silk to rib it, wax, tying +silk, &c., all things now ready, proceed as +follows:—Wax a piece of fine China silk, about +a foot in length; if it is spool or ribbon +silk, twist two pieces together, and take one +end between your teeth, twisting with your +fingers and thumbs, not too much; take the +other end in the left, and wax it up and +down till it is covered with the wax all over; +you may pin it on your knee as in the first +plan, and wax it; take the hook by the bend +in the left hand, say a No. 6 or 7 to begin with, +placing your silk just waxed on the shank +under your left thumb nail, and give two or +three turns of the silk towards you, flatten the +end of the gut a little, and tie it on to the +hook about half way down the shank, at the +same time hold the gut and hook tightly +between your nails, and shift it as you go up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +or down, on the hook shank with the tying +silk; the hook firmly tied on, take out one of +the wing feathers of the hen pheasant, and cut +out of the centre of it two equal pieces to +compose the wings, (see the piece cut out for +the trout fly wing in the plate of Feathers), you +lay these two pieces together even at the points, +take them between the nails of the right hand, +place them on the end of the shank between +the finger and thumb of the left, and give two +or three turns of the silk over them tightly, +winding the silk towards you, cut off the roots +of the feather slantingly with your scissars, as +this swells the fly at the shoulder when forming +the body; the wings are now tied the reverse +way, (see No. 7 Plate, at the sign of the +"picker.") The three flies at top of this plate +I will explain, when I show how the wings +are turned back in their place. You now turn +the hook in your fingers and hold it by the +head, and of course you roll the tying silk +from you; form the tail, body, and hackle, +while holding your hook by the shank shift +it in your hand till the nails are opposite +the barb, where you tie on a tail (see Plate VII) +You now draw a little mohair or fur out of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +piece lying on the table, and lay it along the +tying silk sparingly, twist it round the silk, +and roll it up to the shoulder, or nearly so, and +give a running knot; take a small hackle and +cut it at the point (see hackle at the bottom of +this plate), or, instead of cutting it, draw it +back a little with the fingers, as you may see +the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'growse'">grouse</ins> hackle prepared in the plate of +feathers, or hackle cut at point in the plate of +feathers; tie the hackle on at the centre of the +body at the point where it is cut, and give a +running knot, and to fill up the space between +that and the shoulder, roll on a little more fur, +and give a knot with the silk; wax your silk +occasionally, as it wears off; you now turn the +hook round in the fingers and hold it by the +bend; this turning of the hook is the most +curious and convenient part of it; the hackle +appears standing on the fly, as in Plate II., or V. +You take the hackle by the end in your right +hand, and roll it up to the shoulder in a slanting +direction, giving it an extra turn or two at the +head, as you see Plate VII., tie it down, and +cut off the stem of the hackle; take the fly +between your finger and thumb, keeping the +fibres of the hackle under them out of the way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +while you turn up the wings; you now divide +them in two with a needle or "picker," turn up +the off side one first and tie it down, then the +one next you, and turn the silk in and out +between them, to keep them asunder; you then +draw all under your finger and thumb, and with +the tying silk, give two turns over the ends, +which forms a head, and finish on the small +bit of hook left at the head, take a turn or two +of the silk round the gut to guard it, and take +two running knots; the fly now appears as +Plate IV., press the fly between the fingers +which slants the hackle towards the tail.</p> + +<p>As this is a valuable plate of flies to work +upon, I will here commence with Numbers 1, +2, 3, and then 5 and 4, these two latter flies +are bodies of gaudy sea-trout ones, or grilse +flies. The wings are tied on last of the +three first flies—you hold the hook by the bend +in the left, and tie on the hook, gut, and tail, +as you see in Plate I.; you then place on a +little mohair to form the body, as in Plate II.; +before you reach the shoulder you tie in the +hackle, as No. 2, and leave a little of the end +of the hook to receive the wings, and let the +silk hang at the head; you now take the hackle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +by the end in your right, and roll it slantingly +on its side or partly on its back, placing the +third finger of the hand, the fly being held in +against the hackle at each roll till you come to +the shoulder, take a turn of the silk over it +cut off the stem, and give a knot; let the silk +hang at the place you are about to tie on the +wings, the fly now appears as Plate III., and +in this plate you may perceive the right length +the hackle ought to be for the size of the hook; +you then cut off two pieces from the starling +or woodcock wings, and lay them together to +make the wings of the fly full, and to appear +double when finished, or a piece of mallard +feather, like the wings of Plate IV.; you now +hold the fly between the fore-finger and thumb +nails of the left hand, close to where you see +the silk hanging (Plate III.), tie on the off side +wing first, holding tight by the nails to keep it +on the top of the shank so that it will not turn +round with the silk, wax your silk here, keep +the middle finger of the left against it while +you take up the other wing, and tie it on in +like manner on the near side; this plan makes +a division in the wings. You must endeavour +to keep them tight on the end of the shank, or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +they will fall over on the gut, but by holding +tight with the nails, and drawing tightly with +the tying silk, you may soon prevent mistakes, +and use every thing sparingly to prevent clumsiness +or you will never get on. Now cut off +the ends of the wings closely, and finish with +a turn or two, and a running knot or two at +the very head, and the fly will appear like the +finished fly, Plate IV., lay on a little spirit-varnish +at the head, which keeps it firm—(this +varnish you may procure at the oil and colour +warehouses, or at doctor's shops, that which is +used for rods is best.)</p> + +<p>Now for the two Plates V. and VI.:—</p> + +<p>When the hook and gut is neatly tied on, as +Plate I., you take a hook, size of the above two, +and a hackle to suit; you hold the hook by the +bend in the left, and opposite the barb where +you see the silk hanging at No. 1, you take a +piece of tinsel, tie it on, and give two or three +turns just immediately below where you tie in +the tail (see the tip of tinsel below the tail, +Plate V.), take an ostrich harl and roll it on +for tag, which you will see just above the tip of +tinsel, then tie on a topping above that, as you +may see, then the piece of tinsel to rib the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +body, which you may see extending longer than +the tail; you now take a piece of floss silk, fine, +and form the body of it from the tail to the +shoulder, as you see the taper body of Plate V., +and during the interval tie in the hackle on the +centre of the body, at the point where the silk +is hanging to receive the wings; take the end +of the hackle in your right (first roll the tinsel +as the body of Plate VI.) finger and thumb, +and roll it slantingly over the body in rotation +with the tinsel, as you see in this latter plate, +and tie it down at the end of the shank, leave +the silk hanging as in this plate, touch it at +this place with varnish; you may wing it with +turkey or "glede" (kite's) tail feather, mallard, +&c., like the plate of the plain fly, opposite +No. 7, or like the wing of the gaudy Irish +salmon fly immediately under that number at +the bottom of the plate, (I mention these two +flies in this manner to distinguish them from +the plate on Salmon Hooks). These two are +models of a plain, and gaudy Irish fly; the +delicacy of the body of the gaudy one, as the +silk and tinsel is so finely wrought between +each joint of harl and hackles, is beyond compare; +and the wing is finely mixed, although<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +not so perfect as the beautiful engravings of +the twelve salmon flies.</p> + +<p>Before I begin the gaudy salmon fly, I will +here show how the palmer is made, in two or +three ways.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 371px;"><a name="Plate_6" id="Plate_6"></a> +<a href="images/i_050-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_050.jpg" width="371" height="600" alt="TO MAKE THE PALMER OR DOUBLE HACKLEFLY." title="" /></a> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO MAKE THE PALMER, OR DOUBLE-HACKLE FLY.</h2> + + +<p>You tie on the hook firmly as before, and +prepare two hackles for the fly, as you may +see in the plate of Feathers, two hackles tied +together at the roots, which keeps them on +their sides evenly while rolling them on; you +hold the hook by the shank in your left hand, +tie in the hackles, the inside downwards, that +when tied on and finished, the outside of the +feathers appears to the eye (see the hackle tied +in at the points, and the body and tinsel rolled +on, at the bottom of the plates of Trout Flies for +the season); tie in the tinsel to the body, and +the peacock's harl, or mohair, or floss silk, to +form it, at the same place—turn the hook in +your fingers, and hold it by the bend; take +the harls in your right hand, and roll them up +to the head, or mohair, or your floss silk in the +same way; take a turn of the tying silk over,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +with a running knot, clip off the ends of the +harl, (leave a little of the end of the shank of +the hook bare to finish on, or you will not be +enabled to roll the two hackles neatly up to +this place). Next, roll the tinsel over the harl, +and tie, slope it as you go up; then take hold +of the hackles in your right hand, and roll them +over the body close beside the tinsel slopingly, +taking care at the same time to keep the third +or middle finger of the hand the fly is held in +tight against them at each turn, and roll them +closer as you go up to the shoulder, pull them +tight here, and if there are any fibres left on the +stem of the hackle that are superfluous, pull +them off, still keeping your finger against them, +and holding hard the hook; now take a roll or +two of the tying silk over them and the knots, +give the stem another pull to tighten them, and +clip it off, tie down the head neatly with two +running knots, and varnish it; press the fly +between your fingers to slant the hackles downwards; +and if any of the fibres of the hackles +stand the wrong way cut them off, although, if +they are rolled evenly together on their sides +or back, you will turn the fly out correct,—see +the beautiful Palmer in the plate, with the hook<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +tied in on the back, which is a perfect model,—these +hooks are tied together on the same piece +of gut first, and then make the fly over them. +It is difficult to perform this job until you know +how to make a palmer on a single hook.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 354px;"><a name="Plate_7" id="Plate_7"></a> +<a href="images/i_055-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_055.jpg" width="354" height="600" alt="How to make the Salmon-Fly" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>The foregoing is my favorite way of making +a palmer, but you must be proficient before you +can manage it well. I will here show how it +can be made in a very easy manner, when you +are able to handle the materials, and tie on +nicely. When you have the hook and gut +neatly tied on, take two hackles, and tie them +in at the end of the shank by the roots on their +back, tie in the peacock harl and tinsel to rib +it at the same place; holding your hook of +course by the bend in the left hand, take hold +of the two hackles in your pliers by the points, +and when the tinsel and body is rolled on, turn +the hackles over the body close with the tinsel +on their backs slopingly, till you reach the tail; +here let go the pliers, and they will hang with +the ends of the hackles still in them, till you +take two turns of the silk over them, clip off +the ends of the hackles, and tie it neatly with +two running knots, lay on a little varnish; the +fly will look rather rough in this method when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +finished, but with a little <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'pains'">pain</ins> you will soon +accomplish it; press down the fibres with your +fingers, and cut away the superfluities. You +should have a palmer ready made before you +always while making this fly, which will facilitate +you in your progress.</p> + +<p>When you find it difficult to place on the +hackles first while you are making a fly, pull off +one side of the fibres, and lay two evenly together, +and draw them back at the points where you tie +them in, as the hackle in the plate of Feathers, +and roll them always slopingly over the body +to the shoulder, on their edge with the outside +of them next the head; and, according as you +come up to the end of the shank, roll them +closer, which makes the fly appear full there, +press them well down with your fingers, (see +the three-hackle, or Palmer Flies for Trout, +7, 8, and 9). The hackles of these three flies +are beautifully struck.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>HOW TO MAKE THE SALMON FLY, AS SHOWN IN<br /> +THE BEAUTIFUL PLATE OF ENGRAVINGS<br /> +ON SALMON HOOKS.</h2> + + +<p>Reader, you will have an idea of the sorts of +materials you require for the different processes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +on each hook in the plates, as the models were +tied by me in strict proportion, and are most +exquisite engravings: You take a piece of +twisted gut to form the loop on the fly, double +it over a needle, or "picker," to form an eye, +and pare off the ends slantingly to lie nice and +even when tied, as you may see in Plate I. on +Salmon Hooks; wind your waxed silk round +the shank of the hook about four or five times, +before placing on the gut; hold the hook in +the left hand near the end of the shank, lay +the gut-loop underneath, and hold on between +your finger and thumb tightly, to prevent it +turning round when you lap the tying silk over +it, and keep shifting your fingers down the +shank out of the way of the tying silk in its +progress to the tail, which you will see in +Plate I. You now draw out a small piece of +yellow, or red mohair, keep it tight between +the nails and tie it on, first tip the fly immediately +under the tail, as in Plate I.; you make +it even with your scissars at the point, as that +tail is seen; you now take a piece of yellow or +orange floss silk, and lap it from the tail about +two-eighths of an inch up to where you see the +hackle and tinsel tied in, Plate II.; after having<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +tied the hackle and tinsel on as you see it there, +(you may draw the point of the hackle back, as +the hackle prepared in the plate of Feathers, +instead of cutting it at the point, as you may see +also the hackle cut, in the plate of Feathers). +You now shift your finger and thumb up the +body a little, and just where you finished the +knot over the floss silk twist a little pig hair +round the tying silk sparingly, and roll it over +the shank to the head, or within the eighth of +an inch of the head, as you may see in Plate II.; +you now take the two pieces of tinsel in the +right hand and roll them up slopingly to where +the silk is hanging, Plate II., and whip it down; +you next take the stem of the hackle in the +right hand, and roll it evenly beside the tinsel +on its side, or partly on its back (this is done by +giving the stem a gentle twist in your fingers) +till you bring it to the head where there may +be two or three extra rolls of it given to make +it full at the shoulder, or where you tie on the +wings, (see the hackle, beautifully rolled on +from tail to shoulder, Plate III). You now +take a piece of mallard feather, stripped off +with your nails, and press it small at the end +of the roots where it is to be tied on, (see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +the Mallard Wing prepared in the plate of +Feathers); you strip another piece like it, and +lay them even together; you take the other two +pieces in like manner and do the same, so that +each wing, when tied on, will be double; you +now take the fly, Plate III., in your hand between +the nails close to the shoulder, and wax +well the piece of silk that hangs here; you +take up one wing and lay it on at the off side, +and give two whips of the silk over it tightly, +holding on at the shoulder well with the left +hand, to keep the wing from turning round +under the belly; you now take up the near side +wing, and lay it on in like manner, whipping it +twice over, and then a running knot, (see the +Mallard Wings, tied beautifully on, Plate IV.); +and in that plate you see the root ends projecting +over the loop, cut them off, and finish it +with three or four turns of the silk, and two knots, +close to the root of the wings to make all even.</p> + +<p>I will now proceed to show how the other +three flies are formed—5, 6, and 7.</p> + +<p>These may be termed middling gaudy, and +are famous for the rivers in the north of +Scotland, or the clear waters of Ireland. You +perform the operation of tying on the hook<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +as Plate I; tip the fly at the tail, and tie +on a topping; take a piece of black ostrich or +peacock harl, tie it in at the roots, and roll it +evenly over the shank two or three times (see +the harl tag, Plate V); tie in the hackle above +the ostrich tag, leave it hanging, and roll the +twist up the body, previously formed of floss +silk nicely tapered (see the Body of Plate V); +take the hackle in the right hand, and roll it +evenly with the tinsel, and fasten it as Plate +VI; leave the silk hanging here to tie on the +wings and the head. The wings of Plate VII, +may be seen tied on the reverse way, and the +body and hackle formed afterwards; they are +now ready to turn back in their proper place to +hang over the body, this is done by turning +them neatly up with the thumb nail of the +right hand, and laying them evenly on each +side of the fly, with the best side of the +feather out. The spots and shades which are +perceivable in the wings and hackles of all the +engraved specimens of fly, are shown to great +perfection—I have described the whole of +them, to match the shades exactly, so that it is +impossible to go astray when tying on each +fibre of feather.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>We will now return to Plate VI, and teach +how it is to be winged—You cut off a strip +from the turkey tail feather, which must be +unbroken, as a whole wing; after measuring +the proper length of it for the hook, you draw +each piece small with the nails where it is to +be tied on, as the strip is broader at the root, +so that, take it on the whole, it must be narrow +where this piece of feather is made small at +the roots, as seen in the plate of Feathers, to +keep it so whole, touch it with a little varnish, +and let it dry a little on the table.</p> + +<p>You take hold of the fly in your left hand, +close to the head, draw the fibres of the +hackle out of the way by placing them under +your fingers; take the wing in your right hand +and lay it on, catching it between the left +finger and thumb on the top of the hook +tightly, and give two rolls of the tying silk +over it; take up the other wing, like the last, +and lay it on the near side, and lap the silk +over it in like manner (renew the silk with wax +before the wings are tied on); you now may tie +on a few fibres of golden pheasant neck, and +tail feathers at each side of the wings just put +on, and a piece of macaw feather at each side;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +head it with ostrich, or roll a little pig hair +round the silk sparingly, lap it over twice, and +finish by giving two running knots over it close +to the root of the wings (see the wing of +the middling plain Salmon Fly, Plate II, immediately +above the Sea-Trout Fly and May +Fly.)</p> + +<p>The reader will perceive in this plate <span class="smcap">on +salmon hooks</span>, that I have just described a +garden, as it were fully cultivated, there is +hardly a space left waste, like the broad fields +of industrious England, whose sons "never, +never shall be slaves." All the other plates are +likewise full of useful matter, which will prove +my hard labour, and at the same time show +that I have hid nothing from the Fly-Fisher in +all the processes.</p> + +<p>If the fly (Plate V., <span class="smcap">on salmon hooks</span>) is +winged with feathers, like the Irish gaudy wing, +prepared in the plate of Feathers, it will be +found to approach near the gaudy fly at the +bottom of the plate, with "picker" at top.</p> + +<p>I will now describe the process of making +the Gaudy Salmon Fly, the plate of which is +invaluable to the Salmon fisher:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 352px;"><a name="Plate_8" id="Plate_8"></a> +<a href="images/i_064-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_064.jpg" width="352" height="600" alt="Process of making the Gaudy Salmon-fly" title="" /></a> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PROCESS OF MAKING THE GAUDY SALMON FLY.</h2> + +<div class='center'>(<i><a href="#Plate_8">See Plate.</a></i>)</div> + + +<p>You commence by tying the hook and +gut firmly together, and that it may be more +easy and convenient to the reader to accomplish +this process of making the Gaudy Salmon +Fly, I will tell how it is done in my own +favourite way.—Take the hook in the left hand +and hold by the shank immediately opposite +the barb, here fasten on a piece of fine tying +silk, finer than you tied the hook and gut on +with, tie on a piece of tinsel, and roll it over +the hook three or four times to tip the fly; +place the nail of the left thumb on it, and tie +with one knot (see the tip on the first fly in the +plate, just below the ostrich tag); take a +middling size golden pheasant topping, and tie +it on just below the ostrich tag with a piece of +tinsel, about a finger length, to rib the body +(see the tinsel); take a hackle to suit the size +of the hook, draw it a little back from the +point, that is the fibres (see the hackle ready to +tie in at tail in the first fly); take a fibre of +ostrich, tie it on, and give two or three rolls of +it from you, and as you turn it over keep the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +soft pile of the feather towards the tail, as this +will make the tag appear even, and give a +running knot, the less knots the better at this +point to prevent clumsiness; now take a piece +of pig hair, and twist it round the tying silk (see +the pig hair round the silk, and the hackle tied +on just above it), roll the pig hair over the body, +giving it a turn or two between the ostrich tag +and the hackle, that when the hackle is struck +it may appear from the centre of the fly to the +shoulder; the pig hair is now on, roll the +tinsel over it slopingly till you come within the +eighth of an inch of the loop; take hold of +the end of the hackle in the right hand, and +roll it up on its edge, or partly on its back, in +rotation with the tinsel, and tie it down with +two knots, clip off the end of the hackle and +tinsel.</p> + +<p>If the fly is to be made with the hackle +struck only round the shoulder (see hackle tied +in at shoulder, on the second fly in this plate. +I have not numbered the three flies on this +plate, to distinguish it from the plate of <span class="smcap">an +easy method of making a salmon fly</span>.) See +pig hair body and tinsel rolled on; shift your +hand up the hook in the left, and hold by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +middle, take the hackle in the right, and roll it +from you closely round the shoulder, (see hackle +tied in at shoulder), leaving at the same time +enough of the hook bare at the end of the +shank to tie on the wings, and to roll on the +jay feather (see jay hackle ready), the hackle +supposed to be rolled round the shoulder, cut +off the tinsel and pig hair which you see on +the piece of silk, leaving another piece attached +in the same place to tie on the wings (see the +piece of tinsel and pig hair left at the head +ready to be cut off, and the silk hanging to tie +on the wings—second fly).</p> + +<p>The first fly, which we made above, is now +no other in appearance than the third fly at the +bottom of the plate, which shows hook, body, +and tinsel. We now come to the most critical +part of tying on the gaudy wings firmly, (see +mixed gaudy wing ready to tie on). You take +a neck-feather of the golden pheasant with a +piece of silver pheasant tail, a piece of peacock +wing, a teal feather, and a piece of wood-duck, +&c., lay them all evenly together, and break the +fibres between your nails, when you tie them +on the hook to make the whole small, as you +may see done at the root of the wing in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +plate; take another golden pheasant neck +feather, and prepare it exactly like the last, +that the wing may be the same at each side +when tied on; you now take hold of the fly in +the left, the fibres of the hackle remaining +under your finger and thumb, cut away the bit +of tinsel and hackle-stem first, take the wing +in your right, and lay it on the best side next +you, and hold it tight with the left finger and +thumb nails; give two laps of the silk over it, +press it down tightly with the thumb nail, and +take another turn of the silk, place the third +finger against it to keep it on, till you lay on +the off side wing; take it up as you did the +other, and tie it down at the small part of the +end, on the off side, hold it tight between the +left finger and thumb, pressing it at the same +time well down with the thumb nail of the +right, take two rolls of the silk firmly over +it, hold on manfully with the left, and give +it another nail or two with the right thumb, +make a running knot, lay it down awhile to +rest your fingers; clip off the roots left hanging +or projecting at the head closely (be careful +always to leave enough of the hook bare to receive +the wings, or you cannot manage it easily),<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +now take two or three turns more over the +head to make it tighter and even, leaving a +little bit of the point to stand out; you then +take a strip of macaw, and tie it on each side, +clip off the ends, take an ostrich harl and tie it +on about the centre of the head, and roll it +over from you two or three times, the downy +part of the stem next the loop to keep it all +the one way, and when up to the root of the +wings, take the silk which hangs here lap it +twice over, and give a running knot; clip off +the silk and end of the harl, lay on a little +varnish very lightly at the point, and where the +silk has been just tied down, keep the varnish +off the ostrich harl; you may take a little pig +hair, and twist it round the silk, roll it over +the head very sparingly, and finish at the root +of the wings in the same manner, laying on a +little varnish.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 352px;"><a name="Plate_9" id="Plate_9"></a> +<a href="images/i_070-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_070.jpg" width="352" height="600" alt="The plate of Feathers" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>I will here repeat the tying on of the gaudy +wing, with two or three fibres of various sorts +of feathers, &c., which may be a little more +easy to accomplish than the foregoing to the +young beginner.</p> + +<p>When you have the tail, tinsel, and hackle +put together on the hook, and the eighth of an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +inch of the shank left bare to receive the +wings; wax the silk well that it may make the +head firm, and proceed thus.—First strip off +two fibres of the peacock's wing feather, and +place them with three or four fibres of brown +mallard, and the same quantity of spotted +turkey tail, add to it a piece of neck and tail +feather of the golden pheasant, with a little +guinea hen, teal, and red macaw feather, yellow, +orange, and blue. Keep these all even together, +and break them at the roots like the gaudy +wing in the last plate, and divide them in +equal parts; now having mixed both your +wings alike, take up one wing in your right +fore-finger and thumb nails and hold it +tightly, take up your fly with the left hand, and +with the right hand place the wing on at the +off side, laying it under the fore-finger of the +left hand, and with the right hand give two +turns of the tying silk over it, at the same +time holding on tight between the nails of the +left hand, and press it down with the thumb +nail of the right, which keeps the head firm; +then in like manner take up the other wing +and place it on the near side, keep the wings +the same length, and to extend two eighths of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +an inch longer than the bend of the hook, +having taken two laps over the near side wing, +cut off the root ends at the head closely, +holding tight with the left-hand nails, and press +both wings down tightly with the right thumb +nail; wax the silk well here, and lap it over +the part where you cut off the ends evenly; +bring the silk down on the gut and give three +or four rolls of it just below the point of the +shank to guard it from friction when throwing +the fly; bring the silk up again close to the +root of the wings, and tie on a fibre of blue +and yellow macaw tail feather for horns, let +them be the eighth of an inch longer than the +wings, clip off the ends; take a jay feather and +prepare it, tie it on at the off side of the head +with the bare side next the belly of the fly, roll +it with the right hand over the head, about +three turns, and lap the silk over it while under +the nail of the left; cut off the stem, lay on a +blue kingfisher feather each side, tie on a +black ostrich harl, give three or four rolls of it +over the head, letting the stem be next <ins title="Transcriber's Note: this word not present in original text">to</ins> the root +of the wings as you roll it, take it under the +nail of the left thumb, and lap two turns of +the silk over it close to the root of the wings,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +and with the finger and thumb press up the +fibres of the ostrich towards the wings, to +make it stand even in its proper place; cut off +the silk, and lay on a little varnish at the point +of the head, and your fly is completed.</p> + +<p>As it is my intention to instruct the reader +in every point necessary for his benefit, according +to my own knowledge and experience, +throughout the pages of this book, it affords +me much pleasure to be enabled to do so, and +to offer something to the fly-fisher worth having, +there is scarcely a page he opens that he will +not find something valuable to himself, if he is +a real lover of the art. "There is a pleasure +in angling that no one knows but the angler +himself."</p> + +<p>I will now show how the India-rubber Green +Drake is made, with a cock-tail, like the beautiful +engraving in the plate, (see Green Drake). +The Grouse, and Golden Plover hackle may +also be made in a similar manner, to suit fine +evenings in the summer, without the tail.</p> + +<p>To compose the fly, take a piece of gold +tinsel, and cut a long strip of light india-rubber +very thin, hackle, wings, tail, and all laid down +ready,—tie the gut on the top of the hook, to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +project about three-sixteenths of an inch below +the bend, or tie the gut underneath in the +usual way, and lay a piece of gut on the top +somewhat thicker, to work the tail upon, (see +the tail in the engraving,—look often at the +flies to refresh the memory); take three hairs +of the mane of a black horse, and tie them on +the end of the piece of gut, about an inch in +length, let the silk be fine and well waxed, then +tie in the end of the gold tinsel, and the finest +end of the piece of india-rubber at the tail, +that the thick end may be towards the shoulder +to make it taper; after the body is made very +even with a little yellow floss silk, hold the fly +by the shank in the left hand, with the nails in +close contact with each other, and roll the +tinsel closely up, shifting your hand; this +fastened down with the tying silk, take hold of +the india-rubber in the right, and the extreme +end of the gut tail in your left nails; warm the +rubber a little in the fingers to soften it, draw +it out to its full extent, and roll it over the end +of the gut, and at every roll keep the third +finger of the left hand tight against it to +prevent it starting, move the nails up the hook +as you proceed with the rubber to the shoulder;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +give two laps of the tying silk over it, and a +running knot. The body now formed, take a +very light brown grouse hackle (see the grouse +hackle prepared in the plate of Feathers,—the +partridge and the plover hackles are prepared +in the same way, and all feathers of this shape +for the throat, you may either draw them back +at the end, or cut them like the wren tail +feather), and tie it on at the shoulder, roll it +about three times over on its back, keeping the +fibres down towards the left under the fingers, +tie the stem with a running knot, and do not +give too many laps of the tying silk at the +head to make it bulky, for it occasions the +wings to turn round on the hook, as then there +is no foundation for them, but when they are +tied hard on the hook, they sit firm—you can +not wing it neatly otherwise; to prevent a +vacancy at the shoulder, lay on a little yellow-green +mohair to fill it up, and roll the hackle +over it, you may now guard the gut with the +silk before you tie on the wings, do not allow +the body of the fly to come too close up to the +head, or as I said before, you cannot tie on the +wings properly. Now take the dyed mallard +feather for the wings, strip two pieces off, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +lay them together for one wing, and two pieces +for the other wing in like manner; hold the +body by the left close to the head, and lay on +the off side wing first, hold it tight under the +nails of the left, and take a turn or two of the +silk tightly over it, take up the other wing and +lay it on, catching it under the nails of the +left, taking two turns more over it in the same +way, and press it tight down with the nails of +the right thumb, give another turn or two of +the silk, press back the roots of the wings with +the thumb nail of the right, cut them close off, +roll the silk evenly over it, and give two knots, +now take a peacock's harl, tie it in by the root +end, and roll it over the head two or three +times towards the wing, and tie it firmly here +with two knots of the tying silk, cut off silk and +harl, lay on a little varnish, and your fly is +completed; press up the head to make it look +even, cut off all superfluous fibres that may +stand uneven, so that all will appear like the +plate.</p> + +<p>There is another excellent way of making +a body:—thus, take a piece or length of very +flat gut, and soak it well in hot water till it +becomes soft, tie it in at the end of the tail<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +as you did the india-rubber, form a body nicely +tapered of straw, roll some white floss silk over it +at intervals, roll the soft gut closely over it to the +head and tie it fast; then put a small partridge +hackle round the throat, and wing it the same +as before. Before you lay on the straw, cut it +taper to suit the size of hook you are using, +gold-beater's skin rolled over flat gold tinsel is +also good.</p> + +<p>I will here teach the making of the beautiful +<span class="smcap">Winged Larva</span>, specimens of which are shown +in the plate with the May Fly. There is +nothing can exceed the beauty of these flies, +and as artificial specimens for killing fish +during easterly winds they are invaluable.</p> + +<p>It was in a strong east wind which lasted +some weeks, five or six years ago, that I had +such great success with this sort of fly in the +river Tweed; grilse, sea-trout, and river-trout +took it greedily. The two engravings in the +plate of these flies are very beautiful. It would +be a general killer in heavy running rivers +under trees, or in rapid streams.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 395px;"><a name="Plate_10" id="Plate_10"></a> +<a href="images/i_080-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_080.jpg" width="395" height="600" alt="TO MAKE THE WINGED LARVA." title="" /></a> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO MAKE THE WINGED LARVA.</h2> + + +<p>Tie on the hook and gut as before (say a +hook about No. 8) and form a brown body of +mohair on it, wing the fly with a portion of +hen pheasant tail feather and woodcock wing; +having the yellow brown body formed on the +hook, and the wings ready to tie on, take a +piece of the shrivelled larva you will find +attached to the ends of the lengths of salmon +gut, choose those that are nice and taper, and +at the fine end tie on two fibres of golden +pheasant neck feather for tail, clip off the end +of the gut, lay on a little varnish at the end of +the tail to keep it from coming off; now tie on +the larva close to the shoulder, cut off the end +of the gut, lay on a little varnish there, take +some mohair of the same colour as the body, +and roll it over the throat to cover the tying, +leaving at the same time enough of the hook +to receive the wings, you then take a light +brown grouse hackle, off the neck of the bird, +and roll it twice round the shoulder for the +legs, or a woodcock feather, to be found at the +root of the wings, outside, the latter I think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +is best. Now tie the wings on a little longer +than the bend of the hook, clip off the ends at +the head, and form a head with a piece of peacock +harl, of a bronze colour as usual, fasten +with the silk, and cut off all the superfluities. +It would be well to draw out a little of the +mohair at the shoulder to hang over the larva +body, and to flatten the end of the gut a little +where you tie on the tail, which keeps it on. +Tie the larva at the side, so as it may appear +like a double body to the fish in the water. It +may be made by tying on the wings first, and +let them remain until the body, the larva, and +the hackle, are all tied in their proper places, +and then turn back the wings over the body +with your thumb nail, and tie them firmly down +with the silk, taking two laps over the roots, +and finish with two knots on the end of the +shank immediately above the head.</p> + +<p>Do not neglect to tie in the larva tightly +below the wings at the shoulder, to prevent it +drawing out from the mohair body. You must +hold on tight and press it well down with the +nail of the right thumb, as you do the wings +when tying them on last. It is best to look at +the larvas engraved in the plate occasionally, to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +give you an idea how it is done. When the +wings are turned up last, and a head formed of +the root of them with the tying silk, you next +roll on a piece of brown peacock harl at the +root of the wings, a harl with long pile or +fibres is best, as you can press it up with +your fingers to hang over the root of the +wings.</p> + +<p>The great nicety in making this fly to look +well is, in tying on the two fibres of the golden +pheasant feathers at the tail with fine silk, and +the tying on of the larva itself at the shoulder +of the fly, and then covering the silk that appeared +bare with a little mohair twisted round +the tying silk, and then rolled over it; it is over +this bit of mohair the hackle should be rolled, +and secured with two knots.</p> + +<p>The wing of the small larva in the plate is +tied on last, and a most curious and killing +looking fly it is; the other one does best in +deep water, or for grilse or sea-trout in July +and August, particularly in the latter month.</p> + +<p>The Salmon Fly, No. 11, in the centre of +the plate, with the larvas, is a capital specimen +for the light streams north of the Tweed, and +would kill well in that splendid river at low water<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +in summer, particularly at the "Throughs," +three miles above the town of Kelso.</p> + +<p>The above fly I will describe hereafter, with +the other engravings in the plates.</p> + +<p>To proceed regularly with the various +methods of Fly Making, before touching on +another subject, will be much more convenient +to the tyro as he proceeds, so I will finish this +branch of an "Angler's Education" with a +Catechism, which will be found instructive and +very curious to the beginner. It is accompanied +with a copper-plate engraving of six flies, +showing the whole process to the eye, which +cannot fail to give a lasting idea to the fly +maker who will properly study it.</p> + +<p>In this last process, the reader should lay +out every thing necessary for making a single +fly in a piece of folded paper, so that he can +look at the various articles as he rehearses +them over in the book,—this will keep them +more strongly in his mind.</p> + +<p>Have each article to suit the size of the hook +exactly, that when the fly is completed, it will +appear in strict proportion: for instance, the +hackle should be chosen small to suit the legs of +the trout fly, and the large flies to have hackles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +off the saddle of the cock, that are old and stiff, +to withstand the motion of the water; and fine +silk, both floss and tying for the bodies of the +small flies, and every thing in unison, as you +read in the book; handling every thing +sparingly, delicately, and nicely in the fingers. +There is a good deal of the "battle fought" by +letting the nails grow to a pretty fair length so +as to hold on grimly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>A CATECHISM OF FLY-MAKING,</h2> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">By</span> WILLIAM BLACKER</div> + + +<p><i>Question.</i>—What do you mean by Fly-making?</p> + +<p><i>Answer.</i>—I mean the artificial assimilation +of those beautiful insects that appear on +brooks and rivers during the summer season.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—What are these artificial flies used for in +general?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—They are principally used to afford +gentlemen rural amusement and recreation, by +their taking both trout and salmon with the +rod, line, and fly.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—Name the different materials requisite +for making the Artificial Fly.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 360px;"><a name="Plate_11" id="Plate_11"></a> +<a href="images/i_086-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_086.jpg" width="360" height="600" alt="To make the Trout-fly as taught in the Cathechism." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—The necessary materials for making the +Artificial Fly are as follows:—various kinds of +feathers, furs, mohair, pig hair, dyed hackles, +silks, tinsel, &c., &c.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—When the tyro has all the materials +prepared, and seated at the table, how does he +commence to make the fly?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—First, the hook is firmly tied on the gut, +and one eighth of an inch of the end of the +shank left bare to receive the wings (see plate, +hook, gut, and tail, tied on).</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—How are the wings tied on?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—They may be tied on the reverse way +first, at the extreme end of the shank, and after +the tail, body, and legs are formed, turn up +the wings, divide and tie them down, and form +the head.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—Is there any other way of placing on +the wings of a trout fly?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—Yes, by forming the tail, body, and legs +first, and tie on the wings last.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—Having the wings the reverse way, to +appear in strict proportion over the fly when +turned, what is the next part to be performed?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—Next, I take hold of the shank opposite +the barb in my left, and here tie on a short<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +piece of tinsel for the tip, roll it over two +or three times evenly, and secure it with a +running knot, immediately above this tie on +the tail.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—When the wings are tied on reversed, +the tip and tail secured, how do you form the +body?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I take hold of the hook in my left hand +close to the tail, and with my right draw out a +small quantity of mohair, twist it round the +tying silk close to the hook, draw it gradually +full under the fingers to taper it, I then roll it +closely over the shank to the root of the wings +and fasten it. Leave a vacancy to receive the +hackle if rolled on at the shoulder.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—If there is not sufficient mohair twisted +on the silk to form the whole body, what must +be done?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—When the mohair on the silk becomes +short, I tie it down on the centre of the shank, +and tie in the point of the hackle here (see the +second and third flies in the plate of this +process), and apply a little more stuff to fill the +shoulder, leaving a little of the hook to receive +the wings.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—Having tied the hackle on towards the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +shoulder of the fly, how do you strike it in its +proper place?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I hold the hook in my left hand by the +bend, and with the right take hold of the stem +of the hackle and roll it round the shank on its +back, and tie it down (the fly may be ribbed and +hackled from the tail like the fourth fly in the +plate).</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—The hackle, body, tail, and tinsel now +neatly tied, how do you tie on the wings?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I now hold the fly in my left hand by +the body, drawing the fibres underneath my +finger and thumb out of the way, lay on the +wings double, catch them under the nails of +the left and give two laps of the tying silk over +them, press them down at this place with the +right nail divide and let the fibres of the +hackle spring up between them, cut off the +roots, lap the silk closely over the head and +fasten with two knots (see the cock tail at the +bottom of this plate).</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Note.</i>—The wings of this fly were tied on +first, as seen, and turned up last; the fuller +the fly is at the shoulder the more the wings +will stand upright on the back, and it often<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +occurs that when the wings of the fly lie flat +on the back, and it happens to be an end fly +on the casting line, which is usually under the +surface of the water, that the fish takes it for a +drowned fly eagerly, and the wings much longer +than the bend of the hook, this is not unnatural, +as the wings of numbers of the brown and +olive flies seen on the water have their wings +much longer than the body, and when not on +the wing lie flat on their backs.</p></div> + +<p>I will here give a more easy way of making +a Trout fly.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—How do you commence to make the Fly +in this way?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I tie on the wings first, turn them up, +tie down the head, and finish the fly at the tail.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—When the wings are tied on first, and +turned before you commence the body and +legs, how do you proceed?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I take a small hackle to suit the size of +the hook, strip off the flue, and tie it on by +the root at the head, and a piece of tinsel to +rib the body.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—Having tied on the hackle thus, what is +the next thing to be done?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I draw out a little mohair, twist it +tightly round the tying silk, roll it down to +the tail and fasten it, and roll the tinsel over in +like manner.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—The body and tinsel being formed, how +is the hackle struck on?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I take hold of the hackle in my right +hand with either my fingers or pliers, and roll +it over the body to the tail, fasten and cut off +the ends, tie in a tail and the fly is complete. +This is the style of the fifth fly in the plate.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—When a fly is to be made in the above way +without wings, called a hackle fly, how is it +done?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—Having previously tied, I take two +hackles of equal size, lay them even together, +and tie them on by the roots at the end of the +shank, and then the piece of tinsel to rib it.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—How do you form the body and tinsel +after tying on the hackles?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I twist a very small quantity of mohair +round the silk and roll it to the tail, or a +peacock's harl, and fasten it there, over this I +roll the tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—As the hackles are a nice point to perform, +how are they struck?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I take hold of the hackles with the +pliers at the points, both to stand the one way, +give two rolls round the shoulder to make it +full, and proceed with them slantingly on their +backs to the tail, let the pliers hang with them +and roll the tying silk twice over them, cut off +the superfluous fibres of the hackles, take two +running knots, and lay on a little varnish to +harden the tying, press down the hackles with +the fingers to slope them towards the tail, and +the fly is completed.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—When you wish to make a larger Salmon +Fly, how do you undertake it?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I tie on the hook and gut firmly together, +as in Plate I, <span class="smcap">on salmon hooks</span>, take hold of it +by the shank opposite the barb, roll on a piece +of broad tinsel to tip it, tie on a topping for tail, +with a black ostrich tag.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—Having gone thus far, how do you +manage the pig hair body?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—Having laid before me two or three +colours of pig hair, I roll a piece of fine floss +silk on first next the tail, I then twist a piece +of pig hair on the silk, roll it up towards the +head, shifting up a little and tie, take another +piece of hair, and another, and do in like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +manner (see the pig hair body of No. 2, <span class="smcap">on +salmon hooks</span>).</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—How is the hackle struck on over the +body?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>-Having held the fly by the shank to +form the body, I now turn it and hold it by the +bend, the hackle and tinsel previously tied in, +as in Plate II, <span class="smcap">on salmon hooks</span>, I roll the +tinsel up first and the hackle next in rotation +with it; Plate V. will show the tinsel rolled +over the floss silk body, and the hackle ready +to roll on.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—Having rolled on the hackle, and turned +a jay hackle over the shoulder, how do you +proceed with the wing?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I take two golden pheasant neck feathers +and tie them on tightly first, then sprig them +at each side with various fibres of feathers (see +the wing in the plate prepared).</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i>—How do you cover the lump occasioned +by the quantity of tying silk at the head?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i>—I draw out a small quantity of pig hair, +twist it on the tying silk, and roll it over two +or three times towards the root of the wings +tightly, give three knots, lay on a little varnish, +cut off the silk, and the fly is finished.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Note.</i>—If you make a pike fly, use large +double hooks and gymp, with broad tinsel, and +make the body full with pig hair, large saddlecock +hackles for legs, wing them with peacock +moon feathers, and add two large blue beads +over spangles for eyes, and green or red pig +hair towards the head. Fasten on the beads +with fine copper wire, rolling it over the head +two or three times, and also three times through +the eyes, and tie down the wire tightly with the +silk; roll the pig hair round the silk and then +over the head and between the beads, fasten it +with three knots, and lay on the varnish.</p> + +<p>These large artificial flies kill pike or jack +best on windy days with rain; they will not +rise at the fly on fine days, except there is a +strong ripple on the water. You humour the +fly on the surface as you would move a salmon +one, using a strong rod, reel, and line. If he +is a large fish, he will rush off with the fly +when hooked; but, if a small one, lift him out +when he makes a double quick shake on the +top of the water. I would advise the fisher +to strike a jack quickly, for he often throws +the fly out of his mouth when he finds the +deception.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE TROUT FLIES FOR THE<br /> +SEASON.</h2> + + +<p>I will now give a description of those flies +which will be found most killing, as they are +imitations of the natural ones that appear in +each month, so that the fly-fisher may practice +with them to very great advantage.</p> + +<p>The numbers of each correspond with the +engravings in the plates of the catalogue of +flies.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Trout</span> is a game and sportive fish, and +affords much amusement to the fly-fishers, as +well as being generally esteemed the best of +our fresh-water fishes for the table. The +spawning time of the trout is much the same +as that of the salmon, about October and +November, and their haunts very similar; they +fix upon some gravelly bottom to deposit their +spawn, in either river or lake, and are never +good when big with roe. After they have +spawned they become lean and wasted, and +their beautiful spots disappear; in this state +they retire to the deep and still parts of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +river during the winter months. As soon as +the weather becomes open in February, they +begin to leave the deeps and approach the rapid +streams, where they soon obtain vigour for the +summer sport. They delight in sandy and +rocky beds and pools, into which sharp and +swift streams run, and under shady banks, +behind large stones and in eddies; in streams +where there are sedges and weeds in the spring +of the year. In the summer months they get +strange, and haunt the deepest parts of swift +running streams; they are found also at the +upper ends of mill-pools and weirs, under +bridges, and in the return of streams where +the water boils in deep places. At the decline +of the year they resort to the tails of +streams and deep water.</p> + +<p>They are in season from February till the +end of September.</p> + +<p>These few suggestions may benefit the young +angler by giving him an idea of knowing where +to cast his flies for them.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 349px;"><a name="Plate_12" id="Plate_12"></a> +<a href="images/i_099-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_099.jpg" width="349" height="600" alt="Plate of 15 Trout-flies." title="" /></a> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<h2>FLIES FOR MARCH.</h2> + + +<p>No. 1. <span class="smcap">The March Brown.</span>—The body is +made of light brown mohair, mixed with a +little fur of the hare's neck, and a little yellow +mohair, ribbed with yellow silk; a small brown +partridge hackle for legs (this feather is found +on the back of the partridge), hen pheasant +wing feather for the wings, and two fibres of +the same bird's tail feather for the tail of the +fly. No. 8 hook. This fly is well taken by +the trout, and continues good till the end of +April. The following flies appear before the +March brown, but it being a great favorite, I +have given it first.</p> + +<p>No. 2. <span class="smcap">The Early Dark Dun.</span>—The body +is made of water-rat's fur, mixed with a little +red mohair, the red more towards the head, an +iron-blue dun hackle for legs, and the wings of +water-hen or water-rail wing. No. 9 hook.</p> + +<p>There is another variety or two of this fly +that kill well in February and March, which +are as follows: A black red hackle, with the +above wings and body; a mallard wing, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +the above body; a peacock harl body, a soot-coloured +dun hackle, and a tip of gold. No. 10 +hook.</p> + +<p>There is a small fly, which I term the "heath +fly," which is an excellent one in this month, +and is made thus: The body is made of the +fine fur of the belly of the hedgehog, or rat +back fur (common rat), mixed with red squirrel +fur, and a little orange mohair, rolled on thin +and taper; a small silver grey hackle for legs, +and winged with the grey tail feather of the +partridge. A grey mallard and red squirrel fur +makes another good fly. No. 10 hook.</p> + +<p>No. 3. <span class="smcap">The Little Blue Dun.</span>—The body +is made of mole's fur, slightly mixed with +bright yellow mohair, a light blue dun hackle +for legs, and starling wings. No. 12 hook. +This delicate little fly appears on cold days +in March, and is well taken by the trout from +ten till four in the evening, with the little +red dun.</p> + +<p>No. 4. <span class="smcap">The Orange Dun.</span>—The body is +made of orange and hare's fur, a honey dun +hackle for legs, and grey mallard wings. +No. 10 hook. Good on windy days in this +month and the next. There should be but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +little hackle used on small flies in the early +season, as the fur is sufficient or nearly so.</p> + +<p>No. 5. <span class="smcap">The Marlow Buzz.</span>—The body is +made of peacock harl, a dun hackle over it +from the tail, and two dark red ones round the +shoulder, rib of silver. This fly does best +where there are large trees growing over the +river banks.</p> + +<p>No. 6. <span class="smcap">The Brown Hackle.</span>—The body is +made of yellow brown mohair, a little orange +fox fur, and two short fibred brown-red hackles +rolled from the tail over the body, and ribbed +with gold wire for evening fishing. It will be +found a good one for large trout in river or lake, +winged with hen pheasant tail, and forked with +two fibres of the same feather, hook No. 10 +for the small fly, and No. 6 for the larger +size.</p> + +<p>There is also a small red fly comes on in this +month, very killing; the body is made of red +squirrel's fur, a turn of a red hackle round the +throat, and grey mallard wings mixed with +partridge; hook No. 8.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> +<h2>FLIES FOR APRIL.</h2> + + +<p>No. 7. <span class="smcap">The Soldier Fly.</span>—The body is +made of scarlet-colored mohair, ribbed with +fine gold twist, and two black-red cock hackles +run up over the body from the tail, (it is made +also with orange floss silk body, ribbed with +black silk), a small furnace hackle round the +throat and a darkish starling wing. The dark +red furnace hackle has a dark mark round the +edges.</p> + +<p>It may also be made to advantage with +peacock harl and black-red hackles over it, and +tipped with gold. The latter way makes it the +"cochybonddu" of Wales. It kills best on +windy days in general, with the cow-dung fly, +and partridge hackle.</p> + +<p>No. 8. <span class="smcap">The Cuckoo Hackle.</span>—The body is +made of peacock's harl, and two dark dun +hackles, with darkish bars across them, rolled +up to the throat; give it a tag of yellow green +silk, at the end of the tail, silver.</p> + +<p>The Granam fly may be made thus:—The +wings are made of hen pheasant wing feather,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +hare's ear fur for body, and a grizzled cock +hackle for legs. It is a four-winged fly, and +when it flutters on the water it is very much +like the engraving in the plate; but when it +sails down the surface, the wings lie flat on its +back, and as soon as it touches the water it +drops its eggs; the trout take it freely for +about a week in this month, with the gravel or +spider fly,—dun body, black hackle, and woodcock +wings; some use lead-coloured body.</p> + +<p>No. 9. <span class="smcap">The Black Palmer, or Hackle.</span>—The +body is made of yellow floss silk, ribbed +with silver tinsel, and two short fibred black +hackles struck on from the tail to the shoulder. +Hook No. 8.—Vary the body of this fly with +peacock harl without the silver, and it will be +a capital one for light clear water on No. 12 +hook. Use the cow-dung fly on windy days, +with the above-named one.</p> + +<p>No. 10. <span class="smcap">The Dun Fox Fly.</span>—The body is +made of the fur found on the neck of the fox +next the skin, mixed with golden yellow mohair. +The wings are the wing feather of the starling +or fieldfare, with two fibres of a stiff honey dun +cock hackle for tail; pick out the fur a little +at the shoulder for legs; hook No. 12. Never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +was there a better little fly than this thrown on +the water, it will kill fish any day in the year. +Put on the little black hackle, with peacock +harl body with it as a drop fly; and when the +dun fox is used as a drop fly, put on the March +brown as a stretcher. There may be seen +three shades of this fly on the water at the +same time occasionally; the other two shades +are the ash and blue fox,—the first is a very +light dun colour of the fox cub's neck or face, +the other is of a darker blue shade; they are +great favorites with the trout, artificially; in +mild weather throughout the summer, a small +wren and grouse hackle may be used with them, +the bodies made very thin and taper, and rather +full at the shoulder—the wren with orange mohair +body, and the grouse with golden yellow +floss silk body.</p> + +<p>No. 11. <span class="smcap">The Dun Drake.</span>—The body is +made of golden olive mohair, mixed with hare's +ear fur, the light and dark, and forked with two +short fibres of brown mallard. The wings are +made of land-rail wing, and a little brown mallard, +mixed nicely together. Hook, No. 9. +There is a dark red, and a dark dun fly on the +water at the same time as the dun-drake, all of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +which will be found good ones till the end of +May. The Irish name for the dun drake, is +"Coughlan,"<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> made thus:—The wings, grey +partridge tail; the body, light brown bear's fur, +with bright yellow mohair, hare's fur from the +face, mixed altogether, forked with two stripes +of a dark mallard's feather, and a partridge +hackle. No. 8 hook. In Ireland they consider +this the most useful fly they have in April and +May, as a stretcher, used with the little dun fox, +and black-red, (soldier fly).</p> + +<p>No. 12. <span class="smcap">The Stone Fly.</span>—The body is +made of brown mohair ribbed with yellow silk, +a tuft or tag of yellow mohair or silk at the +tail, and a little yellow mohair worked in under +the shoulder, over which roll the hackle, which +should be of a brown-red colour; the wings +are made of the hen pheasant tail mixed with +copper brown mallard, made full, and larger +than the body. No. 6 hook. If this fly is +made of good colours, as above described, +hardly any large trout, in humour of taking, +can well refuse it. An odd one of them may +be seen in March, when the weather is mild; +but in April and May, when it becomes more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +congenial to them, they appear numerous +towards the evening. Ribbed with gold twist, +it makes a famous grilse fly.</p> + +<p>No. 13. <span class="smcap">The Yellow Sally.</span>—The body is +made of buff-colored fur, and a small yellow +hackle for legs round the head; the wings are +made of the buff-coloured feather inside the +wing of the thrush. No. 13 hook. This is +the forerunner of the Green Drake or May fly. +The trout take this little fly freely, and it is a +most excellent killer on fine days, if made +according to the description. It will be found +on the water till the end of May. The +partridge hackle is also good in this month.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 356px;"><a name="Plate_13" id="Plate_13"></a> +<a href="images/i_109-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_109.jpg" width="356" height="600" alt="Plate of 16 Flies" title="" /></a> +<br /><br /></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> "Taylor's Angler."</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FLIES FOR MAY.</h2> + + +<p>No. 14. <span class="smcap">The Black Gnat.</span>—The body is +made of black hair from the spaniel's ear +which is fine and soft, or a black ostrich +feather clipped very close, and a small black +hackle for legs; the wings are from the +starling's wing feather. No. 13 hook. This +is a good fly throughout a clear day, used as a +dropper with the foregoing fly, and wren tail.</p> + +<p>It floats on the surface of the water in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +numbers on sultry days with mild showers of +rain. It may be varied to advantage with blue +silk body.</p> + +<p>No. 15. <span class="smcap">The Little Brown Midge.</span>—The +body is made of brown mohair with a shade of +orange mohair at the shoulder, two turns of a +small brown-red hackle for legs; the wings are +made of brown mallard and a little strip of +land-rail mixed. No. 13 hook, snick bend.</p> + +<p>There appears to be a variety of small flies +on the water with the above fly about the +middle of the day, dark browns, pea-greens, +and dun flies, all water insects, which the trout +take very freely.</p> + +<p>No. 16. <span class="smcap">The Little Iron Blue.</span>—The +body is made of a little light coloured water-rat's +fur mixed with a few hairs of yellow, an +iron blue coloured dun hackle for legs, and the +wings from a blue dun feather to be found +underneath the wing of a dun hen, or starling +wing feather, tail it with a dun hackle, two +fibres. No. 10 hook. It sails upright on its +legs on the water, with both tail and wings +cocked up, so that it would suit best as a bob +fly. It will be found a useful fly throughout +the season, varied a little in shade according to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +the weather, the darker ones on fine clear +days.</p> + +<p>The Coachman, Oral, and the Governor flies +will be found good ones in this month towards +night, when the beautiful White Moth may be +also seen.</p> + +<p>No. 17. <span class="smcap">Hare's Ear and Yellow.</span>—The +body is made of the light part of the fur from +the hare's ear, ribbed with yellow silk; the +wings are from the wing of the starling or fieldfare, +and two stiff fibres of honey dun cock's +hackle, from the rump for tail, to cock up, pick +out the fur at the head for legs, No. 12 hook. +It will kill fish every day in this month, and +will be found good till the end of July. It +may be also called the Little Cocktail.</p> + +<p>No. 18. <span class="smcap">The Green Drake.</span>—The body +of this beautiful fly is made of yellow green +mohair, the color of a gosling newly come out +of the shell, and ribbed with yellow-brown silk, +a shade of light brown mohair at the tail, and +a tuft of the same color at the shoulder, picked +out between the hackle, the whisks of the tail +to be of three black hairs of the mane of a +horse, about three-quarters of an inch long; +the hackle to be a greenish buff dyed, (dye a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +silver dun hackle with bars across it called a +cuckoo), or a light ginger hackle bordering on +a yellow. The wings, which should be made +full, and to stand upright, are made of dyed +mallard feathers of a greenish buff, or yellowish +shade: a brown head of peacock harl tied neatly +above the wings, No. 6 hook. The wings may +be made of the ends of two large dyed mallard +feathers, with each side stripped off, and the +beautiful long ends to form the wings, tie them +on whole back to back, a little longer than the +bend of the hook—these feathers stand up well +and appear very natural in the water; large size +ones kill well in lakes, with bright yellow +mohair bodies and gold twist rolled up them; a +long honey dun palmer kills well on windy +days, allowed to sink near the bottom, ribbed +with gold twist (see the palmer in the plate with +double hook). The trout take it no doubt for +the Creeper or "Cad Bait;" a very small swivel +tied on at the head, would improve its life-like +appearance in the water as you move it with +the rod; and the larger size one would also +do better with a swivel.</p> + +<p>No. 19.—<span class="smcap">The Grey Drake.</span>—The body is +made of pale yellow mohair, or floss, three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +fibres of dark mallard for tail, ribbed with +brown silk, a grizzled dun-cock's hackle for +legs, or silver grey; grey mallard for wings, +and a peacock harl head.</p> + +<p>The body should be made taper, and full at +the head, it is a capital fly on rough days in +May and June, and used to advantage on warm +evenings. The body may be also made of dun +fox fur, grey at the ends, a silver grey hackle +for legs, and forked with three hairs from a +fitch's tail; the wings grey mallard and +widgeon mixed. It is also made of straw body, +grey cock's hackle, and mallard wings—these +two methods are very good. They kill well in +Scotland, and in Ireland are called the "Grey +Cochlan." These flies may be seen in "Taylor's +Angler."</p> + +<p>Mr. Taylor was an angler of no small pretensions, +he was very fond of the Irish coloured +flies, and has adopted many of them as standards +for Scotland, England, and many rivers +in Wales.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> + +<h2>FLIES FOR JUNE.</h2> + + +<p>No. 20.—<span class="smcap">The Great Red Spinner.</span>—The +body is made of red mohair, ribbed with fine +gold wire, and a red cock hackle for legs; the +wings are made of brown and grey mallard, +the grey underneath; two fibres of stiff cock's +saddle hackle for tail, No. 6 or 7 hook. The +Small Red Spinner is made as the above, but +instead of mallard use starling wings. It is an +excellent fly for a dark evening in June and +July, with the furnace hackle.</p> + +<p>No. 21.—<span class="smcap">The Alder Fly.</span>—The body is +made of brown coloured peacock harl, a black-red +cock hackle for legs, the wings are made of +hen pheasant tail feathers, hook No 6. There +is another way or two of making this fly +which cannot be beaten, they are mostly used +in Ireland, and are known to be killers in +England and Scotland. The body is made of +bronze brown mohair, a very small brown +grouse hackle round the head, and the wings +from a brown spotted hen's wing, No. 8 hook. +The other is made with grey and red partridge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +tail mixed for wings, a copper brown peacock +harl body, and a dark brown red hackle off a +cock's neck for legs. The legs may be also +made of the wren's tail or woodcock hackle, +this feather is found on the roots of the outside +of the wings of the woodcock. These +are good flies in lakes or rivers for large trout—rib +with gold for lakes.</p> + +<p>No. 22.—<span class="smcap">The Sand Fly.</span>—The body is +made of the sandy coloured fur from the hare's +pole, mixed with orange mohair, and a small +ginger coloured cock's hackle for legs; the +wings are made of a sandy coloured brown +hen's wing, No. 10 hook. An excellent little +fly on fine days with a little wind and occasional +showers.</p> + +<p>There is another little fly that will be found +equally good, made thus:—the wings are +made of red and grey partridge tail feathers, +orange body, and black-red hackle rolled up +from the tail to the head, it will kill well on +dark days, ribbed with gold, No. 8 hook.</p> + +<p>No. 23.—<span class="smcap">The White Moth.</span>—The body is +made of white mohair, which is lively ribbed +with orange floss, a white cock's hackle rolled +round the shoulder; the wings from a white<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +feather of the swan that grows over the back. +It may be varied with cream coloured mohair, +very light ginger hackle, and a buff wing from a +hen of that colour; and a browner one may be +made from a matted brown hen's wing, or light +brown grouse tail, or large hackle off the rump of +the same bird, brown-red cock's hackle, the +whole to be made full, of good coloured and stiff +materials, that they may not absorb the water, +and alight heavy when thrown on the surface.</p> + +<p>No. 24. <span class="smcap">The Oak Fly.</span>—The body is made +of orange silk, and a little hare's ear fur under +the shoulder, rib it with a furnace hackle from +the centre of the body up (if the hackles are +tied on at the tail they are very apt to get cut +with the teeth of the fish in a very short time). +The wings may be made from the mottled +brown hen, or the woodcock wings, of a red +tinge. No. 8 hook. This fly cannot be too +highly valued for its killing qualities. It will +be found useful for large trout of a windy day +with a grey cloud over head, and not likely to +rain. "Mr. Bowlker," in his "Art of Angling," +mentions the oak fly in this manner: "The +oak, ash, woodcock, cannon, or down-hill fly, +comes on about the sixteenth of May, and continues<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +on till about a week in June; it is to be +found on the butts of trees, with its head always +downwards, which gives it the name of the +down-hill fly. It is bred in oak-apples, and is +the best of all flies for bobbing at the bush in +the natural way, and a good fly for the dab-line, +when made artificially." The wings are made +from a feather out of the wing of the partridge +or woodcock, the body with a bittern's feather, +and the head with a little of the brown part of +hare's fur. The hook, No. 6. Some dub it +with an orange, tawny, and black ground, and +with blackish wool and gold twist; the wings +off the brown part of a mallard's feather.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FLIES FOR JULY.</h2> + + +<p>No. 25.—<span class="smcap">The Great Whirling Dun.</span>—The +body is made of water-rat's fur, mixed with +yellow mohair, and ribbed with yellow silk; a +reddish blue dun hackle for legs; grey mallard +wings, or starling—try both. No. 8 hook. +There are two or three varieties of this fly, +which make their appearance in this month, +and are very killing on fine, mild days, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +occasional showers; their colours run from a +dark to a light sky-blue.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Bowlker," in his "Art of Angling," an +authority which I like, as he was himself a +fisherman, speaks thus of one of these beautiful +flies: "It comes on about the end of May, +and continues till the middle of July. It is a +neat, curious, and beautiful fly; its wings are +transparent, stand upright on its back, and are +of a fine blue colour, its body is of a pale +yellow, its tail forked, and the colour of its +wings. It is a fly that the fishes take extremely +well from seven o'clock in the evening till +sun-set. The wings are made from the light +blue feather of a hen; the body is made with +pale yellow mohair, mixed with light blue fur, +and ribbed with a fine cock's hackle, dyed +yellow, the hook, No. 8." This is taken from +"Bowlker's" original work.</p> + +<p>No. 26. <span class="smcap">The Little Peacock Fly.</span>—The +body is made of bright brown peacock's harl, +with a tip of gold at the tail, or gold colour +floss silk; a red hackle for legs, and a starling +wing. This little fly comes on about the +middle of July, and continues till the end of +August. It may be used to advantage on fine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +days, with the blue dun, and cinnamon brown. +I have seen this latter fly on the river "Mole," +in August, of a fine brown colour, and plump +in the body, about the size of the Great +Whirling Dun. The body was red brown, the +legs an amber brown, the wings were a mottled +light brown, and the tail of the same colour as +the wings. I have seen the above fly some time +after on the "Bann," in the north of Ireland, +a river six times the size of the Mole, not half +the size, in August. This circumstance of the +difference in size, must be the nature of the +soil through which the rivers flow; the "Bann" +is a gravelly bed, full of large stones, with a +very fall strong running stream; the "Mole" not +so. It is my opinion that in the summer +months there is more sport to be had with flies +as small as can be made, than with the general +run, except late in the evening, then use a large +fly—a brown, or white moth, where a large fish +shows himself.</p> + +<p>No. 27. <span class="smcap">The Blue Blow.</span>—The body is +made of mole's fur mixed with yellow mohair, +run very taper from the tail up; the wings are +made of a tom-tit's tail feather, or water hen; +the tail is two hairs of a mouse's whisker, or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +fibres of dark dun hackle; the body is picked +out a little at the head to imitate legs; the fly +altogether to be made very small and delicate, +hook No. 13. These little flies may be seen +on good size rivers in hundreds, in the summer +on sultry days; where there is a stone projecting +out of the water they gather round it, and +with the motion are carried up and down on +the side of the stone, where large trout lie, like +ant bears, sucking them in by the dozen; the +wing of the water-rail is capital to imitate that +of the fly. There is another excellent killing +fly that may be used with the above, made +thus;—body, gold colour mohair; tip of gold; +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'woodcook'">woodcock</ins> or wren hackle for legs; grey partridge +tail for wrings; and two fibres of the +same for tail; No. 10 hook. They are good +where the river is low, and are excellent till +the end of August, used with the little brown +fly, and ash fox.</p> + +<p>There are also three little flies which are +very good in this month and the next, and +although they are not very well known by name, +nevertheless they will be found killing. First, +the "Orange Wren," with orange mohair body, +and wren tail hackle. Second, the "Golden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +Wren," with golden yellow mohair body, and +wren tail hackle for legs. Third, the "Green +Wren," with green floss body, and wren tail for +legs. The Brown Wren, and the little Peacock +Wren, are also good. No. 13 hook. The latter +little fly is called the "Shiner."</p> + +<p>No. 28. <span class="smcap">The Yellow Dun.</span>—The body is +made of light buff-coloured fur, white sable far +dyed yellow, and a honey dun cock's hackle for +legs; two fibres of the same feather for tail; +the wings are made of starling wing feather. +No. 12 hook. This pretty little fly is a great +favourite with the trout in the evenings of sultry +days, till the end of August and September.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FLIES FOR AUGUST.</h2> + + +<p>No. 29. <span class="smcap">The Red Dun.</span>—The body is made +of red orange hair, over which roll a small dun +hackle; the wings are a dun grey, and are +made of starling wing feather, mixed with a +little mallard. No. 10 hook. It may be varied +thus: Red legs and dun body; orange floss +body, over which roll a black hackle, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +starling wing. The size of hook to vary from +No. 10 to No. 7.</p> + +<p>This is an excellent fly in rapid streams +where there are large trout; it is so attractive +that they cannot refuse it when it moves over +them. Trout that lie or haunt strong streams, +are called, in Ireland, "Hunters." The cause +is, no doubt, through their being thin and long +in the body, and are possessed with enormous +mouths to take in their prey. They take small +trout freely.</p> + +<p>No. 30. <span class="smcap">The Ant Fly.</span>—The body is made +of brown floss silk, and a small fibred peacock +harl at tail; a brown red hackle for legs, and +wings of starling feather. No. 10 hook.</p> + +<p>There is a black ant the same size as the +above, and a red and black one much larger; +the black one is made of black floss for the +body, small black hackle for legs, and a blackbird's +wing for the wings of the fly. The small +ones kill on fine days, and the larger ones +when there is a strong wind, which blows them +on the water, and causes a ripple.</p> + +<p>No. 31. <span class="smcap">The Caperer.</span>—The body is made +of brown mohair, or floss silk of a copper +colour, and tipped with gold at the tail; a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +brown red cock's hackle at the shoulder for +legs, and winged with the woodcock wing +feather. No. 8 hook. This fly may be seen +on fine sultry days whirling up and down over +the water, and occasionally dipping on the surface; +the trout take them very freely. This +fly will be found on the water till the end of +September, with the paler dun, yellow dun, +blue dun, and willow fly. The greyling also +like these little flies.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 354px;"><a name="Plate_14" id="Plate_14"></a> +<a href="images/i_124-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_124.jpg" width="354" height="600" alt="Plate of Larvas and Green Drakes." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Winged Larva.</span>—The body is made of +brown mohair; the larva is attached to this +body at the shoulder, and tailed with two fibres +of golden pheasant neck feather, a woodcock +hackle round the shoulder, and winged with hen +pheasant tail, mixed with a little woodcock or +partridge tail feather, and a bronze peacock +head. No. 8 hook. It will be found a good +fly on dark windy days in this month and the +next, and during the prevalence of winds from +the east; it will do best where a strong rapid +stream runs into a deep pool.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A Substitute for the Winged Larva</span>:—The +body is made of bright golden yellow mohair, +which looks very transparent; a woodcock +wing, and a hackle off the same bird, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +two fibres of golden pheasant neck feather for +tail. No. 8 hook.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Willow Flies.</span>—The body of the first +is made of blue squirrel's fur, mixed with a +little yellow mohair; a blue dun cock's hackle +round the shoulder, and a tomtit wing. No. 8 +hook. The second fly is made of orange silk +body, ribbed with fine black silk; a very dark +furnace hackle round the head, and blackbird's +wing. No. 10 hook. The third fly is made of +the wings or blue feather of the sea-swallow, +for the wing of the fly, and the lightest blue +fur that can be got for body (the fine blue of +the fox's neck, next to the skin; the fur of a +very young water-rat, or the lightest blue fur +of the squirrel); a light dun cock's hackle, and +a tail of the same. No. 10 hook. These little +flies will kill till the end of October, and are +excellent fur greyling. There are hundreds +of other flies that make their appearance on +the water through the summer months, which +come under the angler's notice when in pursuit +of his pastime, that may be imitated to +advantage, the varieties of which must fill the +mind with admiration.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> + +<h2>FISHING RODS AND FLY FISHING.</h2> + + +<p>For a trout rod, to have a good balance +from the butt to the extreme top, it is essentially +necessary that the wood should be +well-seasoned, straight in the grain, and free +from knots and imperfections. It should consist +of three or four joints, according to fancy. +There is not the least occasion for a rod to be +glued up in pieces first, and then cut into +lengths and fitted with ferrules, for then you +have the unnecessary trouble of lapping the +splices, but it is best to clean each piece separately, +and measure the exact taper each piece +should be to one another with the ferrules to +fit in the same proportion, the least thing wider +at the lower end than at the top; the ends to +be bored for the tongues to fit into tightly to +prevent shaking, that when they are double +brazed they may fit air-tight.</p> + +<p>The ends must be bored previous to planing +down the substance of the pieces, and tied +round with waxed thread to prevent them +from opening or cracking, so that these +pieces may be pushed into each end of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +boring whilst the rod is planed up to its proper +substance or size, except the tops, which should +be well glued-up pieces of bamboo cane, and +filed down to their proper sizes to suit the +other parts of the rod; this may be also done +by fastening the tongue of the top in the bored +joint next in size. The butt should be made +of ash, the middle piece of hickory, and the +top of bamboo, which is the lightest and +toughest of all woods that can be brought to +so fine a consistency. The length of the rod +for single-hand fly fishing should be from +twelve to thirteen feet long—a length which +may be used with great facility without tiring +the arm. The butt should be easy in the grasp +and not a great deal of timber in it; the next +piece to be nearly as stout as the butt above +the ferrule for a foot and a half, this prevents +its being weak at that particular part, which +otherwise would cause the rod to be limber in +the middle; the next or fourth piece to be +stiffer and lighter in the wood to keep up the +top; the whole rod to stand nearly straight up +when held in the hand, and to have a smart +spring above, which assists materially in getting +out the line when throwing. The splices of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +the tops should be tightly bound over with the +finest silk, well waxed, and over all three or +four coats of good varnish that is not liable +to crack. You cannot bind the splices tight +enough with coarse three-cord silk, the top +being so small it cannot be drawn together +near so well as with fine silk, and when the +varnish rubs off it opens and admits the water, +which loosens the glued splice inside. The +fine waxed silk is to be preferred by all means, +as it lies closer on the wood, becomes harder, +and makes the splice stiffer to work with the +other parts.</p> + +<p>When the whole is ringed, ferruled, and +fitted for the reel complete, it should not (a +twelve foot) exceed one pound; it will afford +great comfort to the fly fisher in his innocent +pursuit, and will not fatigue him during a long +summer day. The reel should be light, in +proportion to the rod, and to contain thirty +yards of silk and hair line made fine and taper, +and when the rod is grasped in the hand a +little way above the reel, the balance should be +the same above the hand as below it, so that it +may be used with the greatest ease.</p> + +<p>The beautiful rent and glued-up bamboo-cane<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +fly rods, which I turn out to the greatest +perfection, are very valuable, as they are both +light and powerful, and throw the line with +great facility. The cane for these rods must be +of the very best description, or they will not +last any time. They will last for years if +properly made, and of course the fisher must +take care of them; they are best when made +into pocket rods, in eight joints, with all the +knots cut out, and the good pieces between each +knot rent and glued up; these may be had +in my shop of as good a balance as a three-joint +rod, most superbly made of the lightest +brazings. They make capital perch and roach +rods with a bait top added to the extra fly top, +with bored butt to hold all. These rods can +be made to suit a lady's hand for either boat +or fly fishing.</p> + +<p>The salmon rod should be made in four +pieces or joints. The butt of the best long +grained solid ash, the wood of which is not so +heavy as hickory, and is not liable to break at +the ferrule, that is, if the ferrule is put on +"flush," without letting it into the wood by +scoring it; the piece above the butt, and the +joint next the top, should be of the very best<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +well-seasoned hickory, without crack or flaw; +the tops to be made of the best yellow bamboo +cane, either rent and glued up in three pieces, +or spliced in short lengths with the knots cut +away; the first joint to be nearly as stout as +the substance of the wood above the ferrule as +the end of the butt for a foot and a half, to +prevent the rod being limber in the middle; +the next joint that holds the top should be +very smart, and come up at a touch when bent +with the hand, and the extreme lightness of +the cane top prevents all appearance of its +being top-heavy, which cannot be prevented +with lance-wood, unless it is made very fine +indeed, and then it becomes useless. The +length of the rod should not exceed seventeen +or eighteen feet long, and for light rivers, sixteen +feet is quite long enough; if the angler +fly fishes for salmon from a boat, fourteen feet +will be sufficient, made, of course, very powerful +throughout, as in some large rivers a salmon +will take the fly close to the boat in strong and +deep streams. The rings should be pretty +large, to admit of the line running freely, and +the joints double brazed, which prevents the +bare wood of the tongues twisting off when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +the rod is taken to pieces after a day's fishing, +particularly when they get wet. The reel +fittings should be about a foot and a half, or +say twenty inches from the extreme end, that +there may be room for the left hand to grasp +it easily below the reel, which prevents the rod +hanging heavy on the arms, and will balance it +much better than having the reel too near the +end of the butt. When the salmon rod is bent +after playing a fish, it can be easily straightened +by turning it when the next fish is hooked, and +allow the line to run through the rings on the +top of the rod; by holding it in that position, +you can see how you are winding up the line +on the reel, and regulate it according as the +fish runs towards you, for if the reel is held +underneath when the fish is on, if he runs +towards you, it cannot be seen whether the line +runs on in a lump or not, which, if it does, +often causes it to stop, and may occasion the +loss of your fish.</p> + +<p>The most essential and nicest point of all is +in casting the line and trout flies neatly on the +water, which, when properly accomplished in a +masterly way, will be the greatest means towards +the success of the fly fisher in hooking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +and catching his fish. In the first place, the +fisher should keep as far off the water as +possible when throwing next his own side, and +make it a rule, whenever he can, to angle on +the bank from which the wind blows, as it will +enable him to throw the flies across to the +opposite bank, and play them gently down the +stream in a slanting direction towards him, +moving backwards as they approach his side, +drawing them up along the bank if the stream +is any ways deep, as a trout of good size is +often lying in such a place when undisturbed, +as you fish cautiously down.</p> + +<p>The line should not be let off the reel too +fast when you begin to throw, that the stream +may be carefully covered near you, and as you +move along let it off so as to cover the whole of +the water. Hold the rod firmly above the reel +in the right hand, and take hold of the end of +the casting line in the left, give it a motion +towards your left shoulder, and over the head +with a circle to the full length of the flies +behind you, and with a spring of the rod and +motion of the arm bring them right before you +on to the stream, as straightly and lightly as +possible, and by this method you will prevent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +them whipping off behind in a very short time; +allow the line always to stretch to its full +length behind, and keep them on the move, +with the backward sweep of the rod round the +head propel them forward to the place you +desire they should fall, and I do not doubt +that you will make neither splash nor ripple +on the surface. And when a fish makes a rise, +move the rod upwards with a gentle pull, which +is better than striking hard, as the small hook +is easily driven, and there is no occasion to +break the hold or line. Never hold too hard on +a large fish, but let him run if he will, a +small one may be landed immediately. By +no means attempt to go "an angling" without +a landing net, as there may be danger in +losing your fish, after having the trouble or +sport of playing him a long time, and the bank +high on your side. I have been always in the +habit of fishing down the stream, throwing my +flies slantingly to the opposite bank, and +letting them fall gradually with the current, +and walking slowly along lifting and throwing +them at my leisure—it is all fancy whether +up or down you go, so as it is well done—what +you have habituated yourself to in fly fishing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +in general, that do. Keep your shadow +as much as possible off the water, and when +you land your fish let his head drop into the +net first, and his whole weight will follow, lift +him clean up on the bank with a pull of the net +towards you, as this prevents him dropping out.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FLY-FISHING FOR SALMON.</h2> + + +<p>When you begin fly-fishing for Salmon, you +must be careful not to let out too much of the +reel line first, but when you become accustomed +to it, and are master of throwing a short one, +let it out gradually till you are enabled to cover +the pool over which you cast with ease.</p> + +<p>If you practice throwing over a smooth wide +part of the river, you will see how your line +falls on the water, whether thrown in a lump, +or light and straight without a splash; but at +one time you may cast the line right out over +the stream at its full length, and on giving +another cast you may allow the line to fall on +the water in the middle of it first, and the fly +to fall last, which is not so good, but in either +way the fish will rise and take it; by the +last cast you may get the line farther off, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +the fly alighting near the opposite bank, it is +very apt to be taken by a fish lying close under +it; and when throwing, keep the point of the +rod up out of the water, and do not let it strike +it; throw across in a rather slanting direction, +allowing the fly to sweep down without a curve +in the middle of the line, and at the same time +move the rod playfully to give the fly a life-like +appearance; drawing it in towards your +side of the bank, moving it up and down +gradually with the current, and when a fish +takes the fly raise your hand, and fasten the +hook without a jerk, holding up your rod at +the same time with what is termed a "sweet +fast," that it may not get slack at any time till +you have killed him; when you poise the rod +in your hands for a throw, the whole knack is +in keeping the left hand steady, and with a +turn of the right hand cause the line to make +a circle round the left shoulder and over the +head, propel it forward with the spring of the +rod, keeping the fly going all the time till it +falls on the water before you as straight as +possible; when you lift the fly out of the water +to throw again, you require to make use of the +strength of the right arm, giving it the proper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +turn round with the wrist, making a sweep of +the extent of the line behind you, and with the +spring and power of the rod direct the fly on +that part of the stream where you desire it +should fall; letting the line out occasionally off +the reel with your hand, which gives the fly a +very natural motion on the water, moving it +gradually down towards your side, when you +lift the line out and make another throw as +before a little lower down, and so on until you +cover the whole stream.</p> + +<p>You may change to the left hand when you +are tired with the right, or according to the +side you are fishing from, to facilitate and ease +your exertion as much as possible when throwing +a long line. When I have happened to be +in a barn at a farm house on the river side, I +have often thought when taking up the flail to +thrash awhile, whilst the man was resting +himself, that the exertion was remarkably like +throwing the fly with the Salmon rod, the +whole method appears to be in the turn of the +wrist and arm, for when the flail is raised up and +wound over the left shoulder, with a certain +impulse known to one's self you propel it +forward over the head, striking the sheaf on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +the ground with full force on any part you like, +where you think there are any ears in it.</p> + +<p>Many may not be acquainted with flail +thrashing, but were they to understand the +knack, it is easily done; so, also, is the +using of the salmon rod, with a little practice, +and observing a good thrower if you happen +to meet one on the river, or an old fisherman +you employ.</p> + +<p>Keep yourself steady on your feet, and your +body well up when casting, as it gives more +power to the muscles, and when a salmon is +fairly hooked it will prevent your being nervous +or striking too quick, but as I said before, rise +your hand and keep the line taut; as the fish +will often rise several times out of the water +in succession when first pricked with the hook, +on finding himself detained; when he runs +keep the rod nearly perpendicular, as the +spring of it will soon tire him out; if he is a +good way off and makes a rush towards you, +wind up your line quickly, keeping it taut at +the same time, and moving backwards till he +is near your own shore: if he rolls over in the +water apply the gaff and lift him out, but if he +is not regularly beat he will rush off again on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +seeing the gaff with great strength, give in he +must at last by the gentle strain of the rod +that is always upon him. He often gets sulky, +and lies down on the bottom of the river, when +it will be found difficult to start him again: a +clearing ring let down the line on his nose will +cause him to run, and when he does so, it is +best to bear stronger upon him, as in so doing +you have the best chance of quickly tiring and +capturing him. I think it the best plan to lay the +gaff under him, and gaff him in the gills, which +prevents tearing or making a hole in the fish.</p> + +<p>The Salmon reel should be made of the +lightest and hardest material, not too much +contracted, but a good width, that the line +may be wound up evenly without incumbrance; +a plain upright handle is much the +safest when playing a fish, as the portable +ones are apt to crack or snap off if they meet +the least obstruction in the running out of the +line; and the portable handle stands too far +out, which catches the line almost every time +it is drawn off or a cast given. Small reels +may be made with portable handles, without +any fear of their breaking, as the fish are +small and can be managed easily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>The salmon line should be of silk and hair +eight-plait or four-plait, eighty or a hundred +yards long, and for small rivers, sixty yards for +a sixteen feet rod. The casting line for clear +waters should be half treble and half single +gut, to suit grilse or small salmon flies in +summer; and in the spring of the year when +large flies are in use, good strong-twisted gut, +three yards long, is what is necessary for a +heavy reel line, particularly in large rivers, as +the Shannon and the Bann in Ireland, and the +Tweed in Scotland.</p> + +<p>There are not three better Salmon Rivers in +the world than the above, were the salmon +allowed access into them during the summer +months for the amusement of those great +angling gentlemen who would visit them +during that period, or even if there were but a +few let up past the "cruives" or "cuts," that +there might be a sprinkling for them to throw +flies over. It would not matter to them what +nets the fishermen along the shores of the +estuaries used, as they only affect the "Cruives," +or "Fixed Traps" built across the rivers, as of +course less fish run into them, and there would +be abundance of salmon and grilse go up the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +centre or deep part of the river, which the +fishermen could not possibly reach.</p> + +<p>These "Traps" are kept down all the summer, +from the early spring till the end of +August, at which period they are what is termed +"lifted," and up run the spawning fish; and +the great fly fishers now lay by their rods and +tackle for that season, as fly fishing is prohibited +when the salmon are spawning in the rivers. +There is certainly a respite in the Tweed, +when the nets are taken off at the end of the +season for the accommodation of the fly fisher; +and were it so in the Shannon and the Bann, +there would be very great satisfaction in having +a month or six weeks' fishing in these splendid +rivers. They are certainly free throughout the +summer to the fly fisher, but he might labour +a whole day with his rod and fly without getting +a rise, except by chance.</p> + +<p>There will never be any good done until the +"cruives" or "cuts" are removed off the rivers, +unless the head landlord would make an agreement +with the renter of the "cruive," and +enforce it as a law,—to lift the "cruive" two +days in the week, that there might be fish in +the rivers for the accommodation of the great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +body of gentlemen anglers who make it their +business to travel to these rivers to find amusement +in Fly Fishing, at very great expense; +although I do not know if even this would do,—it +would be best by all means to remove +them; and, independent of fair netting for the +general supply at the mouths and estuaries, a +Society of Anglers could rent the entire river, +were the owner to meet them on liberal terms +which no doubt he would, and this would +prevent the destruction by degrees of the best +breeding-fish in the river.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<h2>AN ACCOUNT OF THE SALMON,<br /> +AND ITS VARIETIES.</h2> + + +<p>I desire merely to give some account of this +beautiful fish for the information of my readers, +the knowledge of which has come under my +own notice, in the rivers of Ireland in particular, +amongst the fishermen at their mouths, at the +"cruives" or "cuts," and throughout my +rambles along their banks.</p> + +<p>This excellent salmon is a very handsome +fish, the head is small, the body rather long +and covered with bright scales, the back is of a +bluish shade, the other parts white, and marked +with irregular dark brown spots on the head, +the covers of the gills, down each side from +the lateral lines to near the edge of the back, +very few are to be seen below the lines which +run from head to tail; the tail is forked.</p> + +<p>He takes great delight in pursuing small +fish and fry, and in playing and jumping on the +top of the water, at insects no doubt, and for his +own sport.</p> + +<p>It has been often said that there was never +any thing found in the salmon's stomach such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +as edibles, but it has been recently discovered +that they prey upon herrings, sprats, fry, and +other dainties in their native element; and as +these fish are very nutritious and fat in themselves, +no doubt the nourishing channel in +them receives the substance of the food very +quickly, as it appears to be digested so rapidly +in their stomachs. He leaves the sea for the +fresh water rivers about January and February, +and continues to run up till September and +October, their spawning time, and some spawn +after this time; they are often big with roe in +December and January, in the end of August +or the beginning of September; when they are +in roe regularly, they cannot be in proper +season; they get soft, their beautiful color and +spots vanish, and they do not appear like the +same fish. They travel up rivers as far as +they can possibly get, into lakes and their +feeders, and tributaries of large rivers, where +they take delight in the broad gravelly fords, +and strong deep running currents, which they +like to be as clear as crystal, to effect which +they will leap over weirs, waterfalls, "cuts," +"cruives," and "traps," when there is a flood +rushing over them, to the great delight of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +fly fisher, who loves to see them run and escape +these obstructions.</p> + +<p>The male fish is supplied by nature with a +hard gristly beak on the end of the under +jaw, which fits into a socket in the upper jaw +to a nicety; with this the Salmon go to work +with their heads up stream, rising their tails +sometimes nearly perpendicular, and root up +the sand and gravel in heaps, leaving a hollow +between, wherein the female deposits the eggs; +the male fish still performing his part, chasing +away the large trout that are ready to root it up +(the spawn), he covers it over substantially +against the forthcoming winter's floods and +storms. By this time he becomes wearied, +spent, and sickly, and then turns himself round +and makes head for the sea, where, if once +happily arrived, he soon makes up for the +debility in his blue, his fresh, and ever free +element. The refreshing and purging nature +of the salt water soon makes him once more +strong and healthy, he may be seen leaping +and playing in the sea near the river's mouth +on his recovery. I have been told by fishermen +that they proceed in shoals to the ice +fields in the North Seas, and return to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +rivers and estuaries in the spring and summer +as they departed, in large shoals; they discover +themselves in the bays by jumping out of the +water as they near the river.</p> + +<p>The Salmon haunts the deepest, strongest, +and most rapid rivers, and is rarely to be seen +in those wherein there is much traffic, or that +are sullen or muddy. They prefer the upper +parts of rough streams that run into large +pools, and the tails of these pools, behind +large stones, in the middle and at sides of +waterfalls in the eddies, these are the parts to +throw for them, but the fisherman on the water +will show the angler all the best places. The +best months to angle for them are from March +till the middle of August, after September they +are out of season. They will take the fly best +from six or seven o'clock in the morning till +nine, and from three in the afternoon till dark, +with a good wind blowing up stream. I have +hooked them on the very top of a precipice, +after surmounting the leap, where they lie to +rest in the first deep pool they come to; they +generally run down over the rocks or falls of +water to the pool beneath, when they often get +killed by the rapid descent.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE SALMON FRY.</h2> + + +<p>These beautiful little fish, the production of +the spawn of the salmon, make their appearance +in March and April, and if a flood happens +to rise or swell the rivers about the end of the +latter month, they are taken down in great +numbers, till at last they enter the brackish +water, where they grow in a short time as large +as white trout. The salt water adds much to +their growth. In the following spring and +summer they run up the rivers in great quantities +if they are allowed, and return to the sea +again before winter. On their second return +up the rivers they will be grown very large, +and are then called "Grilse," or "Peals," &c.</p> + +<p>There is a <span class="smcap">Salmon Trout</span> of the same species, +which is rounder in proportion to the Salmon, +of a reddish hue when in season; it has small +fine scales, beautifully intermixed with rich red +and black spots on both sides of the lateral +lines, from head to tail, and its handsome head +is spotted over, as also the covers of the gills; +the tail is shorter, and not so much forked as +the salmon, and the fins are very strong. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +flesh is most delicious, and some prefer it +to salmon. They may be seen in the Fishmongers' +shops from May till the end of +August.</p> + +<p>Another species is the Sewen of Wales, the +White Trout of Ireland and England, and the +Whiting of Scotland; they are very bright in +colour, and run about the size of Mackerel; +they haunt the roughest, strong streams, and +gravelly bottoms. When they are hooked on +the fly they will spring repeatedly out of the +water, and afford pleasant sport for the angler. +They take small gaudy flies like the Salmon +Trout, and when the water is low, dun flies, +black hackle flies with silver ribs, and grouse +hackles of a light brown colour and yellow +bodies. The hooks about Nos. 6 and 8.</p> + +<p>Another species is the Bull-Trout, which +has a short thick head, and a brownish body, +covered with spots of a brown colour, and are +found in all rivers having communication with +the sea, and their tributaries, if there are +no obstructions to prevent their running up. +They are found running up the rivers in June +and July, and in these months and August, are +in good season. They are rather a dry fish.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Par</span> or <span class="smcap">Last-Spring</span> are most plentiful +in salmon rivers from May till the end of +August, and are very much like the salmon +fry, only for the dark bars across them, and +towards the end of the season they are variously +marked. There is no little fish so plump and +lively when taken with the fly, except the +Salmon Fry. As the Sea-Trout are known to +grow to the weight of sixteen and twenty +pounds in large rivers, such as the Tweed, the +Shannon, and the Bann, the Par may be the +fry of these fish, which run up the rivers in +the spring and summer. These Sea-Trout +differ much in shape and colour to the real +Salmon, and are what are termed Salmon in +the London markets.—This I heard from a +fisherman at the mouth of the Tweed, who +pointed out a large creel full to me, just taken +in the nets, and amongst the whole there +was but one Salmon. The Sea-Trout may be +known by being paler, and covered with more +spots, and by being longer and thinner in the +body; the head is also much longer.</p> + +<p>There is a rich golden hue over the Salmon +when you get a side look of it; the body is +plump and boar-backed, the head is very small,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +and there are few spots, except above the +lateral lines.</p> + +<p>I have seen the Par so numerous in the +River Dovey, in Wales, that a man (a guide), +took my salmon rod, and a cast of four small +flies, the sun shining, and in two hours he +killed nine pounds weight of these fish, about +a finger in length or less. It perfectly surprised +me; but it seems that this was but a +small quantity in comparison to what the fishers +were in the habit of taking out in a day. It +appeared so, as the inn-keeper's wife potted +them in large jars. These rivers abound with +Sewen, Sea-Trout, and White Trout; the first-named +fish is the White Trout of Wales, which +corresponds with the Irish fish of that name, +and called in Wales, Sewen. The Par may be +the fry of these fish, which are of the Salmon +species, and ought to be protected by law.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 351px;"><a name="Plate_15" id="Plate_15"></a> +<a href="images/i_153-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_153.jpg" width="351" height="600" alt="Plate of Gaudy Flies, Nos. 1, 2, 3" title="" /></a> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<h2>A DESCRIPTION OF THE FIFTEEN<br /> +SALMON FLIES ENGRAVED IN<br /> +THE PLATES.</h2> + + +<p>These fifteen Salmon Flies may be considered +by my readers as specimens of real +perfection, and the "dons" of the present time +amongst the great Salmon fishers. There is +such a combination of colours in them throughout, +that they will be found most killing in the +rivers of Scotland and Ireland, if made on +hooks of sizes to suit each, and their proper +seasons.</p> + +<p>I have taken the greatest pains imaginable +to make them in proportion, and of the most +choice materials, which will greatly amuse the +amateur in his leisure hours to imitate them, +and if he goes by the models, and their descriptions, +he will find them, when completed, what +may be termed by a Salmon fisher, magnificent. +Their life-like and alluring appearance, when +humoured attractively with the rod and line, will +cause them to be very deceptive to the Salmon, +and they will rise out of the water at them with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +such greediness (the fun of it is) as to mistake +them for living insects. I have seen them +swim after the fly for some distance, as quietly +as possible, before making a rush at it, then +seize it, show their back fin, and then the +points of their tail—the break of the water +they have made closes—you "rise your hand," +and the hook is "anchored."</p> + +<p>No. 1. I shall name this <span class="smcap">The Spirit Fly</span>, +in consequence of its numerously-jointed body, +its fanciful, florid, and delicate appearance. +Its colours will be found most enticing to the +fish, and is a sister fly to Ondine, in the +"Book of the Salmon," by "Ephemera."</p> + +<p>The wings are made of six toppings, with a +broad strip of wood duck on each side, a red +Hymalaya crest feather at top, a cock of the +rock feather, blue kingfisher feather at each +side, a black head, and feelers of macaw. The +body is made of joints of black, orange floss, +and a tip of gold tinsel at the tail, tail two +small toppings, a tag of puce silk and ostrich, +(it must be tied with very fine silk that the +body may not be lumpy, but to show gradually +taper from the tail to the head, and the hackle +to be stripped at one side to roll even), and at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +each joint a scarlet hackle, with a tip of gold +tinsel under each joint, to make it lively looking. +There is a purple hackle, or very dark blue, +struck round the shoulder. The size of the +hook is No. 6 or 7. Salmon, B or BB.</p> + +<p>No. 2. The wings are composed of golden +pheasant tail feather, mixed with the following: +strips of bustard, scarlet macaw, wood-duck, +mallard, yellow macaw body feather, silver +pheasant, and a topping over all, extending a +little longer than the other feathers; blue and +yellow macaw feelers. The wing, as above, +should be laid out on a piece of paper, ready +to tie on after the body and legs are formed, +the jay rolled over the head in this fly, and the +head tied on last, of black ostrich. The tail is +a topping, mixed with a strip of wood-duck +feather, tipped with silver twist, a tag of gold-colour +floss, and black ostrich; the body puce +floss to the centre, and the remainder orange +pig hair or mohair, ribbed with broad silver +tinsel, and a guinea-hen rump feather rolled +over the orange beneath the jay hackle. This +is about as fine a specimen of a Salmon fly as +ever was thrown into the water, and will kill +Salmon and Grilse, made small, in every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +Salmon river in Great Britain. The hook +No. 6 or 9, Limerick.</p> + +<p>The best Irish hooks are numbered from +No. 1, largest Salmon size, to No. 10, Sea-Trout +size.</p> + +<p>No. 3. This is another of the Spirit Flies +that kill so well in the rivers of Ireland and +Scotland, at high water, particularly the Spey +and Tweed. The wings are made of the following +mixtures of feathers, each side of the +wings to be alike: Brown mallard, bustard +and wood-duck; a topping, scarlet macaw, teal, +golden pheasant neck feather, a strip of yellow +macaw, and feelers of blue and yellow tail; a +head of black ostrich; the tail to be a topping, +mixed with green and red parrot tail; the body +is composed of joints, first a tip of silver, a +tag of morone floss, a tag of black, a joint of +brown, green and brown-red hackle, puce and +red, green and yellow, blue and orange, with a +tip of gold tinsel at each joint, a very small +red hackle, and two red toucan feathers round +the shoulder, and blue kingfisher's feather on +each side of the wings. The hook No. 6, and +No. 10 for Grilse.</p> + +<p>No. 4. A celebrated Claret Fly, of very killing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +qualities both in Scotland and Ireland, and +in the Thames as a trout fly. The wings are +composed of two wood-duck feathers wanting +the white tips, and two strips of the same kind +of feather with white tips; the head is made of +peacock harl; the tail is two or three strips of +hen pheasant tail, with a short tuft of red +orange macaw body feather or parrot, tipped +with silver, and gold ribbing over the body, +which is formed of claret pig hair, over which +roll two richly dyed claret hackles, struck in +fine proportion from the tail up. The hook +No. 6 or 10. It is a capital fly in lakes for +large trout, as a breeze or gentle gale only +causes a ripple, and a strong wind does not do +so well in lakes with the fly, as it makes waves, +although good for a large size minnow.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 351px;"><a name="Plate_16" id="Plate_16"></a> +<a href="images/i_158-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_158.jpg" width="351" height="600" alt="Plate of three Salmon-flies, Nos. 4, 5, 6" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>No. 5. A brown fly, a general favorite among +the "old ones," on every salmon river in Ireland +and Scotland, particularly the latter, and +in rivers a good way up from the sea, on a dark +day, with a good breeze blowing up the stream. +The following fly, No. 6, may be used in a +similar manner. The wings are made of the +golden pheasant tail that has the long clouded +bar in the feather, rather full, and two rather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +broad strips of light brown white-tipped turkey +tail feather at each side; a good size peacock +harl head, and feelers of scarlet macaw feather; +tipped at the tail with gold tinsel—the tail a +small bright topping, and a tag of gold-colour +floss silk; the body is made of cinnamon, or +yellow-brown pig hair or mohair, ribbed with +double silver twist; over the body roll a real +brown red cock's hackle, and round the throttle +roll on a bright red-brown small-spotted grouse +hackle, or a brown mottled feather of the hen +Argus pheasant's neck or back. BB hook, or +a No. 8.</p> + +<p>No. 6. A Silver Grey Fly, a great favorite +on the lakes of Killarney for Salmon and +Grilse, and at Waterville, in the County of +Kerry, for Sea and White Trout, made small +on a No. 10 hook, about the size of a No. 6 +Trout hook of English make. The wings are +made of golden pheasant tail feather, mixed +with mallard, red macaw, blue and yellow body +feathers of the macaw, guinea hen, and golden +pheasant neck feathers, with feelers of blue +and yellow macaw, a black head; tipped at the +tail with silver and orange floss tag, the tail a +topping mixed with red and blue macaw feather,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +(those blues that are found under the +wings of that bird which are of a very light +hue) and guinea hen: the body is made of the +silver dun monkey if it can be got, light dun +fox or squirrel fur, or dyed blue dun mohair +mixed with yellow,—all these are good for a +body, ribbed with broad silver tinsel, and a +hackle of a real dun cock that has a yellowish +motley shade throughout it, rolled up to the +head, and round the shoulder a bright orange +dyed hackle, underneath which tie in a little +orange mohair. It may be varied with a claret +hackle at the head, or a fiery brown one. +No. 9 hook. A small grilse or sea-trout hook, +for small rivers in either Scotland or Ireland, +and also in the rivers of Wales, where it is a +native dun colour among the anglers. It will +be found a "don" to rise them.</p> + +<p>No. 7. A large dun palmer with a double +hook, which, will be observed, is of a tortuous +shape in the body, as it appears in the plate. +The shape may be obtained by tying the hooks +back to back, the top one to be tied about +quarter way down the shank of the end one, +and the gut tied tightly on each, (twisted gut +of course when you form a loop).</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 352px;"><a name="Plate_17" id="Plate_17"></a> +<a href="images/i_162-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_162.jpg" width="352" height="600" alt="Plate of four Flies, Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10" title="" /></a> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>It will be found a "killer" in large pools +surrounded with trees in stormy weather, and +in rapid streams running into or near the sea, +where they take it most likely for a shrimp, as +it corresponds in color. The legs are composed +of about six hackles of a real blue dun old +cock-saddle feather, having a motley yellowish +hue, and peacock harl head, rather full; the +body is made of orange pig hair and yellow +mohair mixed, the former drawn out amongst +the fibres of the hackles, which must be struck +on two at a time, commencing at the tail, till +it is all built up to the head, where there may +be three hackles to make it fuller,—it would +be as well to have a small swivel at the head, +that it might spin gently round when moved in +the water. No. 9 hook, or small grilse size for +large trout. It may be varied with gold, old +dun cock's hackles, and red body.</p> + +<p>No. 8 is a beautiful specimen of a gaudy fly. +The wings, which are finely mixed of rich +feathers, are made of the following sorts:—orange, +yellow, and blue macaw body feathers, +three strips of each; teal, bustard, and golden +pheasant neck feathers broken in strips; silver +pheasant tail, light brown golden pheasant tail<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +feather, and a topping over all a little longer; +a peacock harl head, and blue and yellow +feelers. The body is formed in three joints, a +tip of gold twist at the tail, a tag of peacock +harl, and a bright small topping for tail; first, +a joint of yellow floss, a joint of peacock, and +two feathers of the red-tipped feather of the +crest of the cock of the rock tied short above +the harl and ribbed with gold; the next is a +blue floss silk joint ribbed with gold, a peacock +harl rolled on close, and two feathers of the +crest of the cock of the rock tied close above +it; and the third is an orange floss silk joint, +a peacock harl tag, and ribbed with gold, two +of the red-tipped feathers tied on close as +above, and a blue jay round the shoulder. +No. 8 hook on B. This is a famous grilse fly.</p> + +<p>No. 9 is another great beauty, and a capital +grilse or small salmon fly for any river under +the sun. The wings are made of two jungle-cock +feathers, and two shorter feathers of the +golden pheasant neck, the white ends of the +jungle-cock to show well beyond the golden +pheasant neck, two broad strips of wood-duck, +one at each side, and a topping or two extending +longer than the other feathers for feelers, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +black ostrich head; a tip of gold at the tail, a +tag of yellow-green silk, a tag of black ostrich, +and a bright topping for tail, above the ostrich +a blue tag, and the body made of claret floss +silk, ribbed with gold tinsel, and claret dyed +hackle struck over the body, with a blue jay +feather at the shoulder. The hook B or BB.</p> + +<p>No. 10. This is a famous high water fly for +all salmon rivers, particularly in Scotland, and +is not unlike the once celebrated "Parson Fly," +the favourite killer in all rivers of the Reverend +St. John's; there is no salmon can resist its +attractions in rapid pools in rivers near the sea. +The preceding fly, No. 9, will be found to kill +better a few miles higher up from the sea, as +all plain flies do. If the No. 9 is winged with +brown mallard or brown turkey tail feather, it +will be found just the thing.</p> + +<p>The wings are made of two golden pheasant +neck feathers, with a broad strip of peacock +wing feather on each side, and a strip of scarlet +macaw tail feather, the latter to be a little +longer than the other feathers, a black ostrich +head with a full brilliant blue jay feather round +the shoulder. The body is made thus:—a tip +of silver twist, a yellow floss silk tag, two small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +toppings for tail, the body is of golden yellow +pig hair or mohair, ribbed with silver twist, +with two golden yellow dyed hackles with a +black streak up the centre, rolled from the tail +to the head. No. 9 hook, B, or BB.</p> + +<p>No. 11 is a fly that will kill grilse or salmon +in the light running rivers of the North of +Scotland, and in all rivers where the salmon +and its varieties haunt, and is made of different +sizes. The wings are made of a few fibres of +each of the following feathers: black and +white small spotted bustard rump feather, teal, +wood-duck, silver hen pheasant tail, and the +silver cock pheasant tail black and white +spotted feathers, the neck feather of the golden +pheasant, and the red spear feather of the +same bird, and at each side two small feathers +of the black and white jungle cock, a black +head, and topping. The body is made half +yellow and half purple pig hair or mohair, the +latter colour next the head, over which roll +close up two black heron feathers off the crest; +a tip of gold, and a small topping for tail, and +over the yellow or purple body roll double gold +twist. No. 7 hook, or BB.</p> + +<p>The Sea-Trout Fly underneath No. 11 in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +same plate, will be found a killer either for +sea-trout or grilse, in the rivers in Scotland, +and the South of Ireland. The wings are +made of a dark brown grouse hackle that grows +on the rump of the bird, just above the tail, +mixed with a small quantity of light brown +turkey tail, or kite tail, which is the salmon tail +glede of the north, and two feelers of blue and +yellow macaw; a black head; the body is made +with a tip of silver twist at the tail, and a tag +of black ostrich; the tail is a mixture of golden +pheasant neck feather, and brown mallard, two +or three fibres of each; the body is blue floss +silk, rather light, with an old black cock's hackle +rolled over it, ribbed with fine silver twist; +round the shoulder roll a claret or scarlet +hackle. The hook No. 10, or C, double CC, +or B, for grilse. There may be three or four +varieties of this fly made thus:—body blue, +with blue jay, same wings, with a little neck +feather of the golden pheasant; orange body, +same coloured hackle, and same wings, blue +jay at head; a dun body, with fiery brown +hackle at the head; a claret body—a yellow +body, and small grouse; blue body, and guinea +hen; and a yellow body, with guinea hen; a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +black body, black hackle, and the same wings +and tail; a black fly, with teal wings; a brown +body, brown hackle, and "glede" wings, two +fibres of the same for tail. All these are the +choicest colours for sea-trout and grilse flies in +every salmon river in the kingdom.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 352px;"><a name="Plate_18" id="Plate_18"></a> +<a href="images/i_170-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_170.jpg" width="352" height="600" alt="Large Spring Salmon-fly" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>No. 12. Is a large <span class="smcap">Spring Fly</span> used generally +in the Shannon, and the Tweed, when +the rivers are very high and rapid. It will be +found a magnificent specimen of a gaudy salmon +fly, and is the proper size for March and April, +when the fulness of the stream prevents the +fish from seeing smaller ones. This fly will +be seen to perfection in the Plate. With this, +I will describe three or four others of the same +size, of different colours, which came into my +possession from Castle Connell, on the Banks +of the Shannon.</p> + +<p>The wings of No. 12 are made of the small +spotted brown Argus tail feather, golden pheasant +tail, and the black and white peacock wing +feather; scarlet and blue macaw, and in the +centre an orange macaw feather whole, those +that are tipped with blue and green—they are +found on the shoulders of the red macaw and +down the back; a tuft of broken neck feather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +of the golden pheasant at the head, and feelers +of blue and yellow macaw; a black head; a +tip of gold at the tail, a tag of blue, another of +orange floss and black ostrich, a good sized +topping in the tail, and at its root a tuft of red +spear feather of the golden pheasant rump; +there is about half an inch body at the tail +end, made of yellow mohair, and yellow hackle +over it, ribbed with gold, the remainder of the +body is made of puce floss silk, with a dark +wine-purple hackle struck over it, ribbed with +silver twist and flat gold, and a yellow body +feather of the macaw rolled round the shoulder. +The hook, No. 2 or 3, large Salmon size.</p> + + +<p>SPRING FLIES.</p> + +<p>The following fine large flies will be excellent +killers in the Shannon, the Tweed, the Thurso, +the Spey, and the Tay, in the spring season. +The bodies to be made small, the wings large.</p> + +<p>No. 1. The body is made of sky blue floss +silk, ribbed with broad silver tinsel, tip of +silver, and orange tag; a dark blue hackle +from the tail up; two toppings in the tail, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +large yellow pig hair or mohair head (white +seal fur dyed yellow does well), a blue jay +round the shoulder; the wings are a large +yellow and a large blue feather of the macaw, +which grows on the back and under the wings +of that bird, two orange macaw feathers an inch +shorter on each side of them, two toppings, a +mixture of argus, bustard, scarlet and blue +macaw, good size strips of each. No. 1 hook, +full salmon size.</p> + +<p>No. 2. The body is made of black floss silk, +tipped with silver, tag of orange, ribbed with +broad silver plate up the body, beside which a +claret hackle, and the tail two toppings; the +wings are made of a large red rump spear +feather of the golden pheasant in the centre, +four large toppings with a mixture of sprigging +at each side of the following: Argus pheasant +tail, bustard, blue and yellow macaw, blue jay +at the shoulder, and a large size head of puce +pig hair. Hook No. 1 or 2, Spring Salmon +size.</p> + +<p>No. 3. The body is made of black floss silk, +ribbed with silver, orange tag, tip of silver, tail +a topping with a little red; the wings are made +of the whole yellow feathers of the macaw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +which grow under the wings of the bird, two +tipped feathers mixed with bustard, Argus, +blue and scarlet macaw, and a blue head of +pig hair or mohair. No. 1 or 2 hook.</p> + +<p>No. 4. The body is made of light puce floss +silk, ribbed with silver plate and gold twist, a +claret hackle over it, tipped with silver, a +topping for tail, and orange tag; the wings +are made of yellow macaw, a red spear feather, +four toppings, a mixture of bustard golden +pheasant tail, kingfisher's each side, and a +large blue head of mohair. (It cannot be too +large for the Shannon). No. 1 hook, large +Salmon size.</p> + +<p>No. 5. The body is made of puce floss, +ribbed with broad silver and gold twist, purple +hackle over it, orange tag, tip of silver, and tail +a topping; the wings are made of two body +feathers of the yellow macaw, mixed with blue +macaw tail and Argus, two large toppings, and +a dark blue pig hair head. Salmon hook No. 2, +spring size.</p> + +<p>No. 6. This is another excellent fly. The +wings are like the last named fly; a black floss +body, ribbed with silver, and yellow hackle over +it; a large blue head, picked out to hang down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +like a hackle. No. 3 hook. This is a fly of +"The Ogormans," of Ennis, in the County of +Clare, see his Work on Angling. The two +Salmon Flies in the plate, with "picker," are +described for Killarney.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SALMON RIVERS.</h2> + + +<p>It will be most advantageous to my readers +that I should give them some accurate accounts +of the various Salmon Rivers, pointing out at +the same time the best station on each where +sport may be expected with the fly, and to +know where to proceed before starting on their +angling excursion, as the whole fun is in knowing +the right places to prevent disappointment. +There are numerous small size rivers, the +local flies for which are of a plain and sombre +hue, and which it will be necessary the fisher +should be acquainted with—these I will give +as I proceed.</p> + +<p>In summer, when the rivers are low, small +plain flies are best, or rather so on dark days, +with a good ripple, then they will entice them. +They do not rise often when the sun is warm,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +except in rapid streams. Use small black +bodied flies with silver and middling gaudy +wings, mixed with teal or cock of the north +feather—change it to a gaudy one if they do +not take the black. Early in the mornings +before the sun strikes the water, and from three +o'clock till dark, or about sunset is a good time +to move a large fish with a fly he likes. The +two flies at the bottom of the plate with +"picker," are most likely ones for that time in +the day. The plain one is brown body, and +wings of mallard. The bottom one is green +body, and mixed wings of gaudy feathers; the +body is a jointed one, of peacock green. I made +it nearly twenty years ago,—it is a beautiful +specimen of a gaudy fly for rapids after a flood.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE RIVER TWEED.</h2> + + +<p>I will begin with this large and beautiful +salmon river, which runs rapidly along the +borders of England and Scotland, taking a +course from West to East. It flows majestically +through a highly picturesque and cultivated +country, washing many good towns on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +its way to the sea, where it discharges its +valuable waters at Berwick.</p> + +<p>The town of Kelso is the best station, as +there is good fishing above and below it. +There is a magnificent spot for a month or +more of salmon fishing at a place called "The +Throughs," three miles above the town,—it is +a real picture of a place to the eyes of the +fisher. Higher up is St. Boswell's, and a little +higher, Melrose—both charming places. There +is good angling in the Tiviot, at Kelso, in the +spring; it runs into the Tweed on the opposite +side. The trout are numerous in it. There +are several capital stations below the town, +where the fish take the fly most freely, which +is not the case in most of the rivers of the +same magnitude. The fifteen painted salmon +flies will be found excellent killers in this noble +river, and the six large spring flies.</p> + +<p>I have killed Grilse, Sea-Trout, and River-Trout +with the Winged Larva at the "Throughs" +in August. Easterly winds were prevailing at +the time, and the fish would not stir at any +other sort of fly. When the river runs very +low small flies are best.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE RIVER SHANNON.</h2> + + +<p>This is the largest and finest Salmon river +in Britain. There is not a river in Norway +that can be compared to it for fishing, were it +properly used. The angler must proceed to +its banks before he can say, conscientiously, +that he has ever seen a salmon river. In its +course it expands into three large and beautiful +lakes, Lough Allen, Lough Ree, and Lough +Derg. There are numerous islands in the +latter one, with ruins of religious edifices, &c. +This noble river receives many tributaries, in +which there is capital fly fishing, with rapids +and falls of water till it reaches Limerick. It +runs a hundred and twenty miles to this place, +and sixty more to the sea. It is on leaving +the lakes that it abounds with many delightful +streams—the haunts of large Salmon and fine +Trout. Six miles above Limerick, at Castle +Connel, there is a splendid place for the fly, +and Trout fishing is good. The angler will here +behold a scene that will greatly amuse him.</p> + +<p>There are other capital casts for Salmon up +to Killaloe, where the Pike and Eels are of an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +extraordinary size and quality. Lough Derg +is close to this place, in which are caught the +"Gillaroe" Trout; they have gizzards like turkeys, +are short and round in the body, very red +in the flesh when cooked, and they have a most +delicious flavour.</p> + +<p>The best flies for the Shannon are the fifteen +painted ones, and the six large flies for spring. +You cannot fail with these beautiful flies.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE LAKES OF CLARE.</h2> + + +<p>From the town of Killaloe the angler may +proceed to the lakes of the County of Clare. +You go west to the town of Broadford, eight +miles distant, where there are three or four +lakes, the furthest off one, Dromore; this town +is eighteen miles off, and about eight from the +county town, Ennis, on the river Fergus. +Twelve miles up this river is Corrafin, a neat +town, near which is the celebrated lake of +"Inchiquin," famous for its large trout and +splendid views. Here the angler will find +boats and every accommodation.</p> + +<p>The flies in my list for the season will kill<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +exceedingly well in these lakes, made two or +three sizes larger, and in fine weather the size +they are.</p> + +<p>They are fond of grouse hackle, wrens, +browns, turf-coloured flies, amber, black, grey, +&c., &c., with brown grouse wings. The "yarn +fly"<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> is not used here.</p> + +<p>Before the tourist angler leaves Killaloe, if +he has time, he should by all means see the +antiquities of the place, Lough Derg and Holy +Island, where there are to be seen the ruins of +seven churches, and a round tower 70 feet +high, the entrenchments of "Brian Boroimhe," +King of Munster, at Cancora, and his tomb +near the Cathedral in the town.</p> + +<p>This ancient town is seated on the western +bank of the Shannon, in the County of Clare, +over which there is a bridge of nineteen arches; +at a short distance below it, this grand river +rolls over tremendous ledges of rocks, where +there is an excellent fishery. It is a great +pity that this fine river should be prevented +from being of the greatest benefit to the +country through which it runs, all owing to +the "cruives," the "stake nets," "bag nets,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +and every other destructive invention that can +be contrived for the wholesale slaughter of the +splendid Salmon. Oh! look to it, you that +have the power.</p> + +<p>From Limerick the angler may proceed to +Athlone and Galway, but I should advise him +to proceed to the south first, and fish the +Blackwater and the lakes of Killarney; Mr. +Jas. Butler has prohibited the fishing at Waterville +this spring, in consequence, as he says, +"of the numbers visiting, coupled with acts of +poaching." I should say the lake is free, as it +always was and ever has been, knowing that +Mr. Butler is most polite to gentlemen.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Net.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY.</h2> + + +<p>From Mallow, on the Blackwater, the angler +proceeds to Killarney. It would be as well to +go to Lismore, farther down from Mallow, +where there is good Salmon fishing to be had; +there is a Mr. Foley here (who rents the "weirs" +of the Duke of Devonshire), he is most polite +to strangers, and allows them to fish in the +weirs, which are of some extent; and most of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +the Gentlemen residing on its banks, from +Lismore up, will allow the stranger to fly-fish +through their grounds, send their keepers to +shew them the best places, and are most hospitable +and polite. At the Killarney junction, +Mallow, the angler takes his seat, and in a +little time is delighted with the sight of the +Lakes. I visited Killarney in 1848, on an +angling excursion in Ireland, to recruit my +fallen spirits, if possible, after many years of +industrious labour, "and it is myself that +would advise the sickly to go there, if he had +legs to walk on," says poor Pat.</p> + +<p>To my great disappointment at the time, the +Lakes were netted by their respective owners, +which rather damped my spirits after going so +far "a fishing"—my sport there was but inferior. +It is not so now, many thanks to Lord Kenmare +and Mr. Herbert, who have put a stop to the +netting and other contrivances, to the delight of +the anglers and inn keepers of the neighbourhood. +I have been given to understand that +the Salmon fishing is capital now in the lakes +and river. At Ennisfallen Island there is a +favourite cast, and another between that and +Ross Island; another to the south west of it;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +towards Mucruss Abbey, to the north-east, there +is good water for the fly, and in "Glena" bay, +all of which the boatmen will show. At the +latter place parties dine, in a very beautiful +situation at the foot of the hill, sheltered by +trees to the water's edge. On the west side of +it is shown a curiosity—a holly, a thorn, a +birch, a hazel, an ash, and an oak, so curiously +entwined, that they appear as one tree; at +this place there is a good fishery, at the cottage +they cut the salmon into pieces, skewer +them with arbutus, and roast them over a +turf fire; they say arbutus gives them a fine +flavour.</p> + +<p>Between Brickeen Bridge and the Upper +Lake there is good fishing, in the narrow +gorge between the lakes; the charges of boats, +&c., have been regulated, so that they cannot +now impose upon visitors. The scenery in +the vicinity of "Brickeen Bridge" and the +Eagle's Nest is sublime, and must delight the +heart of the Angler who may be seeking health +and pastime, either by himself or with his +dear admiring friends.</p> + +<p>There is not a table, either in inn or lodging +house in the town of Killarney, wanting a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +Guide to the Lakes, written by some intelligent +person or other, so that the angler cannot +go astray.</p> + +<p>There are numerous good inns in the town +and neighbourhood, the people and landlords +of which are polite, civil, and obliging to +strangers, as are the guides and boatmen.</p> + +<p>There is a Miss Smith, in New Street, who +keeps a comfortable lodging, the most honest +creature I ever came across, go to her, you +gentle ones.</p> + +<p>The delightful Island of Ennisfallen, which +used to be my favourite spot during my stay, +would be a kind of Heaven on Earth to the +invalid; it is covered with verdure and beautiful +large trees, the arbutus, &c. There is a +thorn growing through a tomb stone, a holly +fourteen feet thick, a curious crab tree, and the +bed of honour, which the guides say if you lie +down in it, having no children up to the +present time, "your honor will be sure to have +plenty of them after your return home."—This +place is a hollow about the size of a large bed, +in a projecting rock over-hung with holly and +hawthorn. In an aperture in the "crab tree" +the guides recommend ladies to pass. There<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +are ruins of a once celebrated Abbey here, +founded in an early date of St. Finian.</p> + +<p>The annals of Ennisfallen comprise a history +of the world up to <span class="smcap">a.d. 430</span>, and a history of +Ireland up to 1320. They are preserved in +Trinity College, Dublin. There is an enormous +ash tree growing out of the floor of the +abbey. It is unquestionably a healthy spot, +and soon excites an appetite by inhaling its +salubrious air.</p> + +<p>The remains of the once beautiful edifice +"Mucruss Abbey" is well worth seeing, as the +ravages of death, which were once too prominent, +have been cleared away by the humane +Mr. Herbert, so that there may be a close inspection +made of the ruins; the architecture of +the eastern window is admirable; and the extraordinary +"yew tree" growing in the centre of +the ancient cloisters and over-spreading its walls +is curious in the extreme, in the fork of the +yew, above the great trunk, there is a kind of +unctuous gum constantly flowing down, which +is said by the peasantry that "the yew is +shedding tears for the fate of the abbey."</p> + +<p>The Salmon flies to suit the Lakes, are +Nos. 2, 4, 5, and 6, 8 and 9 the two at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +bottom of the plate with "picker," and No. 4 +plate on Salmon hooks, the paintings of which +are exact to the models. The three latter flies +are, first, a cinnamon-brown body, brown wings, +and brown red hackle, mixed tail; second, a +jointed body fly of blue and green, gaudy mixed +wing, topping in the tail—this fly may be used +in very rough water, and the brown one with +a nice ripple and grey cloud; the No. 4 fly on +Salmon hooks, is mallard wings, fiery brown +body ribbed with gold, brown red hackle, hook +No. 6, B, CC, and a yellow and red mixed tail. +The Dun Salmon Fly, No 6, and the one +above it, No 5, are favourite killers in the lakes +and river.</p> + +<p>My advise is, that my friends (I call every +angler who reads this book a friend), should +beware of the "mountain dew"<a name="FNanchor_C_3" id="FNanchor_C_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> and goat's +milk, sold by the damsels of Killarney, in the +vicinity of Brickeen Bridge, and the Eagle's +nest; they are harmless and cleanly creatures, +but their importunity to taste their goat's milk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +is teasing—buy their goat's milk, but reject +their "dew," gentle fishers.</p> + +<p>The river "Lane," which issues out of the +Lower Lake, as it is now preserved by the inn +keepers, is a capital stream for salmon and sea +trout fishing; about four miles from Killarney, +at the Bridge leading to "Dunloe Gap," is a +good place to begin to fish, either up or down +the river; the trout in both lakes and river are +as yellow as gold when taken out of the water, +they are spotted over with beautiful brown-red +marks, and are very handsome to look at.</p> + +<p>The Trout Flies in the list will be found +excellent for the lakes and river. A grouse +hackle, with orange silk body, and a little strip +of grey partridge tail for wings—this with the +ant brown, hare's ear, and amber fly; the red +dun, caperer, wren and cuckoo hackle, and +duns of various shades and size, ribbed with +silver. The land-rail fly, brown-red hackle, and +ash fox, an orange body with black hackle from +the tail up, and starling wings. The silver +dun, with grey mallard wings, mixed with the +wing of the bunting lark, ribbed with silver, +and tail of the hackle fibres, the body yellow +dun—this is a great favourite made of sea-trout<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +size for the river, and large for salmon in +the lakes. The sand and cinnamon flies are +also good, and the red spinner; the winged +larva is an excellent fly below the Bridge, +allowed to sink a little beneath the surface +when fished with, grilse and sea-trout will +take it.</p> + +<p>The river Lane is remarkable for its firm +footing along the banks, and no where obstructed +by trees, it is the most pleasant place +I ever saw for fishing, combined with wild and +fanciful scenery.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C_3" id="Footnote_C_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_3"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> Whiskey—Oh! whiskey, whiskey,—cruel whiskey, +you are the cause of poor Pat's giant poverty, you have +rushed in upon him like one armed. Oh! thou accursed +evil spirit.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LOUGH CURRAN, WATERVILLE.</h2> + + +<p>The angler may proceed any morning he +feels disposed, to Waterville river and lake, +southwest of Killarney, in the County Kerry; +there is a car from the Kenmare Arms Hotel +about eight o'clock in the morning, passing +through Killorglan at the foot of the river +Lane, which you have in view up to this place; +Three miles farther on you come to the river +"Corra," where there is an Inn, at the Bridge, +for the accommodation of anglers, and where +they may procure capital sea-trout and small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +grilse fishing; the lake Carra, out of which the +river flows, is seen to the left before reaching +the river at the bridge. It would be worth +while staying a few days at this place, as the +sea-trout fishing is beyond comparison, below +the bridge to the sea, and above it as far as the +lake, and also in the lake. The flies I have +just named will kill well in the Carra, with a +small black one, like a midge, ribbed with +silver, with a honey dun fly made very small.</p> + +<p>You reach "Cahirceveen" in about eight +hours from Killarney, from whence you take a +car eight miles further on to Waterville, where +you arrive comfortably in the evening to rest +and have a talk with Mr. Butler, the proprietor +of the "cuts;" the angler will find him most +civil and polite, and on asking you get instant +permission to angle for salmon in the river, +and "keep all you catch" which has been a +general rule for a length of time; the lake is +free for salmon and trout fishing, it abounds +with fine sea-trout, which appear to be continually +running up between the bars of the +"cruives." The river is very small, having but +one pool in it close to the sea for salmon, the +run of it is very short as the lake and sea<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +almost meet, they are separated merely by a +neck of land on which the bridge and "cuts" +are erected, about three or four perches +altogether. There is good sport to be had in +the lake and river when it is flooded, and the +angler will find every convenience with respect +to men and boats; there are two inns in the +place, at least when I was there in 1848, there +were two.</p> + +<p>The flies for Waterville are the same as +those I have just given, except for salmon in +the river, which should be very plain and +sombre, they are brown bodies, with dark +hackles over a roll or two of gold tinsel, and +brown turkey wings of a reddish hue; small +blue flies, with gaudy wings, ribbed with silver, +and black heads, the hackle to be dyed blue, +and floss silk body, hook No. 10 or C. CC. +When the water is up they will take Nos. 3, 4, +and 5 flies in the plates; and the fly No. 11 is +most excellent. They use a good sized fly in +the lake for trout, when I fished it my flies +were of the smaller sort, and in the hot sun +the trout took small amber flies best with me. +The local flies were darker—say drake size, +with brown bodies, black hackles, and turkey<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +wings, nevertheless they take them in a windy +day exceedingly quick, and in a very short +time the fishermen in the boats catch a large +dish of them, say in about a hour; the trout and +grilse in this lake I must say are most delicious, +"they almost melt in the mouth," says he.</p> + +<p>The angler, when he gets tired here, may +return to Killarney, and make head for the +west and north, "and sure enough he may +have another throw on the lakes, if he pleases, +by way of bidding them good bye."</p> + +<p>He might take a start before he goes across +the hills to Kenmare, by car, and have a day +or two on the river Blackwater, usually called +"Kerry Blackwater;" it is about eight miles +from Kenmare, on the south-west side of the +estuary of that name, on the road to "Derrynane +Beg," or Derrynane Abbey. There is an +inn on the river as you cross the road, but no +town. The angler might go to it for a day or +so from Waterville, by hiring a car at the inn, +there and back. He will have an opportunity +of seeing the mansion of the late Mr. D. +O'Connell, at Derrynane, as he passes it to +his right off the road, in a most healthy situation, +sequestered amongst dwarf trees of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +most fanciful appearance, close to a bay of the +sea, or what is called "Kenmare River," the +salt water of which is as clear as crystal.</p> + +<p>The flies used on this prolific little river are +brown bodies, three ribs of gold tinsel, black +hackles, and grouse and mallard wings; but I +would strongly advise the angler to have some +of the small flies made smaller still for this +river, than in the plates of flies. A very small +blue jay, a silver grey or "hedgehog fly," with +a small black one ribbed with silver, are all +good for this stream.</p> + +<p>The angler returns to old Killarney, and +takes rail for Limerick, from thence by steam +to Athlone, on the "Great Western;" there are +fine Trout and Salmon here in summer. Go +on from here to Galway, and fly fish Lough +Carib (the river, I believe, is now broken up to +facilitate the navigation between the bay and +this grand expanse of fresh water). There are +very large Trout to be met with in the Lough, +and every accommodation respecting fishermen +and boats at the town. The angler will find it +very pleasant for a day or two's fish in the lake, +with a ripple on the water and a grey cloud +above.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONNAMARA AND BALLYNAHINCH.</h2> + + +<p>In this western region there are some +beautiful lakes and rivers, once celebrated for +the abundance of Salmon and Trout which +they contained, but, alas! the "weirs" and +nets have "wed" them all away, to the grief of +the tourist angler, who might have enjoyed the +"wild sports of the west." So he will yet, for +there is a reformation to take place that will +restore them to their pristine numbers both in +lake and river. They are about to take down +the "weirs," and net the bays, which will not +only give the Salmon a free passage up, but +augment them a hundred-fold,—then, "hurrah +for Connamara, the land of the west." Derry +Clare Lake is a good one for the fly, so is +Lough Inna, and above and below the "weirs." +If the generous proprietors of the fishery would +consult upon the subject, they would immediately +put a stop to the obstructions, if not, it +it is quite impossible that there can be good +fishing up to Lough Inna. Thirty gentlemen +might fly fish these waters without the least<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +inconvenience, were the Salmon allowed to +go free.</p> + +<p>The Salmon Flies for Connamara are rather +small and plain; various brown, black, red, +olive, and orange flies kill well, ribbed with +gold and silver. Those Sea-Trout ones, described +for Waterville, do also well, and orange +floss silk, ribbed with gold, small topping for +tail, jay round the head, and mallard mixed +wings. Hook C or CC.</p> + +<p>A small black fly, yellow tag, topping for tail, +rib of silver, teal, and golden pheasant neck, +breast feather of the peacock wing, mixed, blue +feelers of macaw, jay at the shoulder. Hook +B, or No. 9. A green body, ribbed with gold, +black red hackle, orange macaw, or cock of the +rock feather in the tail, short; a nice mixed +gaudy wing, with a good deal of mallard and +wood-duck prevailing, or silver pheasant wing, +the hen bird is best. C, CC or B hook; vary +the size for high and low water. A small claret +fly, and the three flies in the Plates, Nos. 3, 4, +and 5, with No. 11, all made on small hooks, +these are the sorts to kill. The Sea-Trout +ones are very small black and red hackles, +grouse and wren hackles, dun flies, and little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +brown ants, hare's ear and yellow, silver greys, +and the small flies enumerated in the catalogue. +Use a sixteen feet salmon rod, and single gut +casting lines, with one or two twisted lengths +next to the reel line, which should be plaited +silk and hair. There are plenty of boats and +boatmen to be had at Ballynahinch River and +Lakes, all civil fellows, and if used with common +kindness and decency, they will confess +that "the English anglers are the best fellows +in the whole world,—Good luck to their honors. +Long life to their honors."</p> + +<p>The scenery of this wild country is quite +equal to any in Scotland, if the intelligent +tourist angler would be at the pains of penetrating +into the mountainous regions which +surround Connamara. The islands in the +bays are interesting and beautiful, as well as +the stupendous hills standing up in order like +giants, as it were, to bid defiance to the wild +waves of the great Atlantic.</p> + +<p>Ireland is proverbial for the finest breeding +rivers in the world for Salmon and Trout, in +no country can there be found such splendid +rivers and lakes for Salmon; see, for instance, +the rivers Shannon, Erin, Bann, and the stupendous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +lakes out of which they issue, and of +which, it is sufficient to show, that at "Burn +Cranna," two miles below Coleraine, with the +cross nets, three tons of Salmon were caught +in one day by the fishermen some years back. +This will give an idea of what the rivers in +Ireland, in general, can produce. The Bann +is preserved in the right season for the fry to +come to perfection in great shoals, and from +March till August the nets and "cruives" are +worked.</p> + +<p>The flavour and quality of the Irish Salmon +far exceed those of any other part of the United +Kingdom, for when the fish are sent up from +the north to the London markets they often +lose their flavour, if not properly packed in +the ice boxes; how can it be otherwise, when +the distance is considered. The real Salmon +of the Tweed, Tay, and Spay, are delicious, +through the quickness of transit.</p> + +<p>Above Ballynahinch are seen the "Twelve +Pins," or rocky precipices of "Beanabola." +On the right of this mountainous road, beyond +Ballynahinch, opposite the beautiful island of +"Ennisbofine," are seen green mountain heights +of great elevation, with romantic winding vallies,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +rivers, and views, that strike the heart with +admiration.</p> + +<p>There is a large river in this neighbourhood, +called the "Owen Rieve," which abounds with +Salmon, and falls into the sea south of Clue +Bay. At the head of the Bay, a short way up, +there is a Salmon Fishery, but no inn.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>BALLYNA.</h2> + + +<p>The angler may now proceed to the river +Moy, at Ballyna, in the County of Mayo, a +celebrated place for ages for Salmon fishing +with the fly, and also a place where he may +find every facility for insuring sport by the +kind and obliging conduct of the renter of the +"cruives," or cuts, who politely allows the +angler to fish where he pleases, on condition +that he gives up his fish save one per day, +which he may freely reserve for himself, and +as a trophy of his success, have the honor of +"cutting it pink" by a good turf fire, tired +after the day's sport, washing it down with a +smoking hot tumbler of "whiskey punch," +drinking the health of the Queen, and success<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +to the arms of our brave countrymen in +the East.</p> + +<p>Lough Con will be found also good, but the +trout fishing is best in it—fly fish the river +for salmon. It is about ten miles up to the +southwest, and in it may be caught with +the fly, the gilla-roe trout that have gizzards, +the same as in Lough Derg on the Shannon. +From the town of Ballyna up to Foxford, eight +miles distant, is all capital water for salmon; +there are plenty of boats to be had, and those +who do not like a boat may fish from the +shore; the salmon will rise and take the fly in +every part of this water, so that the angler +cannot go astray.</p> + +<p>The flies in use here are rather plain than +gaudy, except in the spring, like all other rivers, +they must be larger and more of a gaudy hue.</p> + +<p>A claret body, claret hackle and gold rib, +tail a small topping, an orange tag rather +tapered to the shoulder, jay at head, mallard +wings mixed with blue and yellow macaw, neck +feather of the golden pheasant, a topping over +all, guinea hen, teal, and blue macaw feelers +each side with a kingfisher, hook CC, 9, or +BB.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 353px;"><a name="Plate_19" id="Plate_19"></a> +<a href="images/i_201-big.jpg"><img src="images/i_201.jpg" width="353" height="600" alt="Plate of 7 Flies and Salmon." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>A fly, with a fiery brown floss silk body, +black ostrich tag, hackle of the same colour as +body, rib of gold, tail of topping, mallard, +golden pheasant tail, neck, and red rump +feathers mixed, a blue jay or small guinea hen +feather at the shoulder, hook No. 9, or B in +low water.</p> + +<p>A blue body, blue jay over it, tag of orange +floss, topping for tail, the hackle to be made +full by another jay at the shoulder, under which +roll a piece of orange pig-hair and pick it out +well through the jay; the wings to be mixed +ones with a topping in the centre; scarlet +macaw feelers, and black head; hook No. 9 and +B; rib the body with silver tinsel, and let it +be the same colour as the jay.</p> + +<p>These with Nos. 1, 3, 4, and 5, in the plates +of flies for salmon will be found excellent. +No. 11 is a good one; and a fly made with +black silk body ribbed with silver twist, a very +small topping in the tail, mixed with a sprig +or two of guinea hen and Ibis, a small guinea +hen hackle over the body and cut slantingly +underneath the body to be longer at the shoulder, +and a black or peacock head with a small +blue jay round it; wings mixed with dark<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +mallard, teal, neck feather, blue and yellow +macaw, and a strip or two of wood-duck each +side, and a fibre or two of peacock neck and +white spotted wing feather, hook CC, B. If +these flies are attended to, they will kill when +many others fail; do not lose your sport and +time, keep to what I say.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>BALLYSHANNON.</h2> + + +<p>From Ballyna the angler may proceed to the +Erne, at Ballyshannon, by coach, where he +will find, on his arrival, a beautiful river, and +every accommodation he requires; it is a short +running river, with a deep and rapid current, +about three or four miles in length; at the +town of Bellick it flows out of the grand +expanse of Lough Erne, fifty miles in length, +and in some parts twelve in width.</p> + +<p>The salmon leap of Ballyshannon, is a broad +body of water falling over a perpendicular rock +twelve feet high, up which the salmon run, +showing their dark backs through the foaming +water, and again falling back into the pool +below after many attempts to surmount it; +they seldom leap clean up out of the water,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +but in general I have seen them rushing up +through the falling current, which shows the +extraordinary strength they possess. I have +remarked that they always remain a day or +two in the first pool they come to after their +ascent, and in this they take the fly most +greedily, generally at the head of the leap.</p> + +<p>The fishermen sweep the river with nets +below the leap, and the enormous quantities +they take is most surprising, still there is +abundance in the river; in summer in consequence +of the netting, of course the salmon +are not so plentiful up the river. The fish +house stands on an island, which may be seen +from the bridge of fourteen arches, and in the +distance the sea views are grand.</p> + +<p>There is capital fishing below the bridge, +and many fine salmon throws or haunts all the +way up to Belleek; this town is finely situated +on the north of Lough Erne, where it begins +to discharge its waters into the channel which +conveys them into the bay of Donnegal.</p> + +<p>The river at this place has a fall of twenty +feet, forming a beautiful scene, enriched by +foliage and steep precipices. The trout fishing +here is good.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>The river Erne has a long course, the source +of which is "Lough Gonnagh," in the County +Longford, a short way from "Lough Sheelin," +and the celebrated Lakes of West Meath. It +then enters "Lough Oughter," in the County +Cavan, after a serpentine course of eighteen +or twenty miles, although the distance between +the lakes is only eight miles; after passing +through this lake, it takes another winding +course of the same distance, passing Belturbet, +an ancient town on its banks, it then enters +the upper Lough Erne, and falls into the sea +at Ballyshannon. Seeing the abundance of +fish which these grand lakes, and clear running +streams throughout the country produce, it is +not at all to be wondered at the quantities taken +at Ballyshannon.</p> + +<p>The flies in use here are very gaudy, Nos. +1, 2, and 3, in the plates, will be found capital +killers, and up to No. 11 in fine days in +summer when the water is low.</p> + +<p>There is another good killer which I will +here describe:—body yellow brown mohair, +ribbed with silver twist, puce tag, topping for +tail with a little scarlet ibis mixed, a good dyed +yellow hackle rolled over the body, and a scarlet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +hackle round the head; the wings are four +toppings with strips of summer duck, a sprig +or two of pheasant tail and neck, a strip of +dyed white tipped turkey tail, and a sprig of +guinea hen and glede or kite tail, the tail +feather of the hen <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'hymalean'">Hymalean</ins> pheasant is as +good as what is called in Scotland "salmon tail +glede," and the topping or crest of the cock +bird which is a transparent scarlet colour, +and like a topping of the golden pheasant +stands over all; blue kingfisher each side, +and scarlet macaw feelers, black ostrich head, +hook No. 9 or 8 in high water. This is a +magnificent specimen of a salmon fly, and +cannot be made properly at a small expense, +either by the amateur himself who buys his +foreign feathers, or by the fly-maker who gets +his bread by it. The three flies in the plates +Nos. 1, 2, and 3, will be found to do the work +well. With this one, see the gaudy jointed fly +in the plate, with "picker" at top.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE RIVERS BUSH AND BANN.</h2> + + +<p>From Ballyshannon the angler proceeds to +the Enniskillen and Derry railway, where he +takes his seat for Coleraine; on arriving at this +town he need not expect much fishing, except +that he may take a throw at the head of the +leap, and take also a view of that stupendous +fall of fresh water which there can be little +doubt of its surprising him, with the grand +and delightful scenes around. When he gets +on the suspension bridge, over the very top of +the leap, he must hold by the rails to steady +himself, and consider where he really is; the +noise which the great body of water in the +centre fall makes, when it descends into the +pool beneath, dins his very ears, this with the +broad rapid running river close beneath his +feet as he stands on the light iron bridge, +holding by a single rail with his hand, must +almost take his sight away; and if he never +had the pleasure of seeing the shadow of fear +before, rely upon it he feels himself in a fearful +plight just then "for a short time any how."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the County Derry side the falls are not +so strong, and on these the "cuts" are erected, +for no salmon could surmount the centre fall, +and these "cuts" are so high from the top of +the leap, that the salmon cannot get over them +even in floods, except by mere chance. This +productive fishery belongs to the London Fishmongers' +Company, on application the stranger +will be allowed on the bridge to view the falls, +and at the same time he will see the traps +crowded with salmon of all sizes, from the small +"graul," as they call them there, to the largest +size salmon; sometimes the fish can hardly +swim in these "cuts" or "cruives" they are so +numerous, what a treat for the eyes of the fly +fisher to behold. The angler may fly fish +at will, and has his choice either to go up +the Bann to Kilrea, or go first to the Bush +river, it is only seven miles from Coleraine to +Bush Mills, so that as he is now in that town it +would be advisable to try his hand at the Bush +first, and then proceed to Kilrea, on the Bann, +about fourteen miles up that river, by car.</p> + +<p>When the angler arrives at Bush Mills, +which he will do in an hour from Coleraine, +the inn keeper will make him acquainted with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +the rules of the fishing. The river is now in +possession of a club of gentlemen, who will +with great pleasure allow the stranger to fly +fish.</p> + +<p>It will be necessary to have a guide, who +will show you all the best throws for salmon; +and when tired of fishing, point out the "Causeway" +to you, which is two miles from the town. +The best of the fishing extends about two +miles—one mile below the town to the sea, and +one mile above it at the salmon leap.</p> + +<p>There are some good throws on the top of +the leap, and towards the tail of the large pool +beneath; another famous throw between that +and the town called "Lagan Drade;" at the top +of this long pool there are two large stones +projecting out of the water, between which the +current of the stream rushes violently, in this +rapid place between the stones the fish will +take the fly, and below the stones along the +left side of the Bush, and on the rising ground +at the foot of the pool; if you can manage to +throw well over the bushes you will be very apt +to hook a salmon in the mid-water. There is +another good throw below the bridge; the +deepest part lying along the gardens, and three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +or four more between that and the sea; there +is a large stone lies in the middle of the river, +over which the water may be seen boiling, if +you can manage to throw beyond it, and draw +the fly across it letting it fall a little below it, +you will have a chance to hook a fish immediately. +Just below this stone, a little way +from the sea, at a narrow part of the river, is +another capital place, fish it from the right side +and do not come abruptly upon the place or +the fish will see you, which will prevent them +from rising, but this you can avoid, as you +will see this contracted part from the stone +throw; prepare a good fly before you come up, +and keep as far off it as possible. It is a +shelving elbow shaped rock narrowing the +river, so that your fly must be gradually moved +down commencing a few yards above the elbow +rock, which cannot be seen as the grass grows +on it to the very edge, till you look over it into +the water; just as the fly rounds the point all +the fish see it that are lying under the brow of +the hollow rock, where you may expect a rise; +this is the deepest part of the whole river, and +the first resting place for the fish after leaving +the sea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> + +<p>In this place the depth of the water requires +a bright fly; the following one will prove a +killer:—Body, orange floss silk, a small topping +for tail with a fibre or two of mallard, ribbed +with fine gold tinsel, and a rich brown-red +cock's hackle from the tail up, not too long in +the fibres, the hackle to be a little black at the +head when rolled on; the wing of copper brown +mallard with a strip of wood-duck each side, +and a topping over all; feelers of macaw, and +a black ostrich head. Hook CC. Should you +rise a fish with this old favorite, and it does +not take, try him once or twice more with it, +and no doubt you will have him. If he does +not hook himself with it, change it for a light +blue one, the body the blue colour of the sky, +legs the same, and a mallard wing ribbed with +gold.</p> + +<p>You now come to the sea, at "Bushfoot." +There is a pool here into which the tide ebbs +and flows, and at times the fish are plunging +over and over on the top of each other, which +the fishermen net when this is the case. +When the tide is out the Salmon will rise and +take the fly in it freely, as the flowing of the +river into it pushes out the brackish water<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +before it, and when the tide is flowing, before +it enters the pool, is the best time,—in fact, +this is the best place to stay at for the sole +purpose of being enabled to fish, as the river +above is so low in summer, except after rains, +that it is useless to try.</p> + +<p>The Castle of old "Dunluce" is near Bushfoot, +it stands on a rock close to the cliff on +the mainland in the sea, and is built on the +surface or top of the rock, close to its very +edge all round, and the corner stones appear to +have been brought from the Giant's Causeway. +There is a deep chasm between the castle +and the land, over which the range wall of the +old bridge is yet standing; the bridge itself is +completely gone. This narrow wall, about +fourteen inches wide, may be easily crossed +going into the castle, but on recrossing it to +the land side it strikes terror into the heart. +Some years ago I visited this old ruin, and +crossed the wall into it quite easily and fearlessly, +but on my returning, to my great surprise, +I was afraid of my life to recross it. The +cause was, no doubt, that the wall and yawning +chasm appeared more under me on coming out +than on going in, the wall being narrow and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +the chasm deep. At last I crept over it very +slowly on my hands and knees, and it was with +difficulty I reached the land. As I sat panting +on the grass, looking towards the dark old pile, +I vowed that the walls of "Dunluce Castle" +should never again hold me. I was most likely +stricken with a fairy talisman.</p> + +<p>The "<span class="smcap">Giant's Causeway</span>" is two miles from +Bushfoot, where the stranger may spend a few +pleasant days with a kind friend, amidst rocks +and caves, glens and tremendous cliffs, causeways, +chasms, and pillars of wondrous height. +These rows of pillars stand up the face of the +cliff, which is 360 feet high, from the base of +which three broad causeways extend, of honeycomb +shape, nine hundred feet into the sea. +The pillars of these low causeways are generally +six, seven, and many three and nine-sided, and +as even as if they had been cut with a chisel; +they rest one upon another in joints, the top +one round to fit into the one beneath like a +socket, and the pillars are so closely packed, +that you can hardly get the point of a knife +between them. There are other pillars in the +face of the cliffs, called the Giant's Loom, +the Giant's Chair, the Giant's Organ, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +the Giant's Well. The natural wildness and +grandeur of these and the adjoining promontories, +exceed any thing that can be imagined.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE RIVER BANN.</h2> + + +<p>Portna is considered the best ford for Salmon +and Trout fishing on this noble stream. At +this place, which is merely an inn, kept by a +Mr. Moore, for the accommodation of anglers, +the river, which is a large one, falls over ledges +of rock, large stones, broad fords of gravel, +deep gorges in places, rushing down inclined +plains, which spread into currents five and six +feet deep, dimpling as it flows along, where +large trout may be seen taking down the natural +insects, and making the surface boil. These +places might be swarming, were it not for the +"cruives," with the largest salmon in Britain.</p> + +<p>During the summer months you may take a +good many salmon here, but on some days you +cannot see a fish, as they are mostly stopped +at the "cuts." These salmon traps are called +"cuts," in Ireland, and "cruives," in Scotland. +I need not explain their formation, as they are +too well known to the fly fishers. Notwithstanding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +all this, the generous renter of the +fishery at the Leap of Coleraine, gives liberty +to all anglers visiting the Bann, from March to +August, and the courtesy and politeness which +he evinces towards gentlemen, causes him to +take no notice of their fishing with the salmon +fly till September. I have been informed by +Mr. Moore, the inn-keeper, at Portna, that +there is now a "Queen's Gap" made in the +"cuts," on Sundays, to allow some of the +salmon to escape. This is a great boon to the +angler.</p> + +<p>The town of Kilrea is a mile from Portna, +where there is a good inn, kept by an Englishman, +a Mr. Adcock. At the bridge, which is +half a mile from the town, there is a famous +throw for a salmon; you let off the line, while +standing on the bridge, to where the fish lie, a +little lower down. There are capital streams +for salmon near "Moor Lodge," a delightful +spot, down as far as "Bevanaher" ford. The +boatmen take you through the gorges in racehorse +style. The man brings the bow of the +boat to the very edge of the rapid, steadies her +by making you sit down with himself, and in a +minute or two she shoots down the gorge in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +a very pleasant manner into the broad ford +below; when he returns with the boat, he pulls +her up the side of the stream. The Bann +boatmen, I must say, are very civil fellows, and +charge moderately for their labour and boats—half-a-crown +a day, pot luck, and a smoke of +tobacco—"an ould fly, and a gut casting line, +if it's no use to your honor."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Flies</span> to suit the Bann are as follows:—</p> + +<p>No. 1. Body claret pig hair, ribbed with +gold tinsel, orange tag, a topping, and a little +wood-duck for tail; a dark claret hackle rolled +up to the shoulder, and a blue jay above it; +mallard wings, mixed with bustard—the dark +small spotted bustard feather is best for this +river, the light coloured for Scotland and +Wales—golden pheasant tail and neck, peacock +wing, wood-duck feelers of blue and +yellow macaw, and a black head. Hook No. 8 +or 9. This is a great favourite.</p> + +<p>No. 2. Scarlet body, scarlet hackle, and +mallard wing, gold over body, topping for tail, +and one in the centre of the wings, jay at the +shoulder, and a black head. Hook No. 8. +Large for the Spring, and B, BB for June and +July.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>No. 3. Fiery brown body, brown-red hackle, +gold tinsel, mallard wings with a little wood-duck +and golden pheasant neck feather mixed +with it, macaw feelers, and a small topping for +tail mixed with wood-duck. Hook BB or G. +Grouse hackle round the shoulder, and a black +head.</p> + +<p>No. 4. Body yellow pig hair, half way up +from the tail, the remainder wine purple or +dark blue, a purple hackle over it, and a claret +one at the shoulder; blue head picked out the +colour of the sky; two toppings in the centre +of wings of mallard and brown turkey mixed, +and macaw feeler. Hook No. 9. Silver tinsel +over the body.</p> + +<p>No. 5. Orange body, broad gold tinsel, dark +brown-red hackle over it; strips of wood-duck +and neck feather for tail; strips of spotted +Argus pheasant; a dark full mallard wing with +two neck feathers in the centre, and a black +head. Hook No. 9, BB, or 8. Large for high +water or deep places.</p> + +<p>No. 6. A puce body, ribbed with silver tinsel +and gold twist, topping in the tail mixed with +wood-duck fibres; puce hackle struck full up +to the head, blue jay here, and kingfisher each<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +side of the wings, which are of a very nice +mixture of Argus pheasant small spotted feather, +peacock wings, mallard, teal, guinea hen, kite +tail, pheasant tail, blue and orange macaw, +scarlet macaw, green parrot tails, Ibis, and +silver pheasant tail (the hen); feelers of macaw, +a topping over all, with the crest feather of the +Hymalean pheasant, and a bronze head. Hook, +Nos. 9 and 8. These, with the eleven flies in +the Plates, and No. 12, early in the Spring, +with the five Shannon flies, are all "first-rate +killers," indeed, the fourteen painted flies are +all capital ones for this river.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Trout Flies</span> are generally the same as +those in the catalogue of flies for the season. +In the spring they run rather large, but in +the summer months they are used very small. +Olive flies of various hues are very much used, +and a fly with a green body and the feather off +the root of the landrail's wing; another with +orange body, black-red hackle, and woodcock +wings. Hooks No. 8, in spring, Nos. 10 and +12, in summer. The various browns are capital +in the early season, and the green olive, sooty +olive, hare's ear and olive, brown and olive flies +made full in the wings, and to be longer than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +the body. There are no hackles used in the +spring, till a little further on in the season, +then hackle flies are used; the wren tails of +different sorts are very much prized, and the +light red-brown grouse hackle, and yellow body; +a blue body fly, black hackle, and wings of +the starling; a gosling green olive fly, with +mallard wings, mixed with landrail, and a hook +No. 8 or 10; a fly with a yellow body of silk, +red hackle dyed yellow, starling wing mixed +with mallard, and a little partridge tail; the +golden wren is good; a very small black gnat +is good; and the never-failing "blue blow." +The body of this little fly, as used on the Bann, +is mole's fur mixed with golden olive, picked +out at the shoulder, and a black bird's wing, +to be fished with on warm sultry days. These +flies are killers, and the trout are fond of them, +which will be found excellent and plentiful at +Portna.</p> + +<p>On the shores of Lough Neagh, towards the +Bridge of Toome, where the river issues out of +the lake, there is good angling in the Drake +season in June. There is a small inn at Toome +Bridge, where the angler can procure a boat. +It is but four miles north of "Randalstown,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +on the Belfast and Ballymena Railway. I have +spent many a day on these waters, when a +young man.</p> + +<p>From Shane's Castle, the Earl O'Neil's, to +the bridge, and from the town of Antrim to +Shane's Castle, there are large trout taken with +the fly; at the end of May, and throughout +June, the whole surface of the lake along the +shore is covered with the natural fly. The +Drake, in the Plate, would be a good one made +on a large size hook, to throw amongst them. +Earl O'Neil grants permission to gentlemen to +fly-fish in the demesne of Shane's Castle, by +sending a note from the inn at Randalstown, +to the Steward.</p> + +<p>There are numerous rivers running into +Lough Neagh, from five different counties, +which it borders. The Bann rises in the +Mourne Mountains, in the County of Down, +and passing through the Lough, issues out of +it at the Bridge of Toome, forming a stupendous +body of fresh water. The Lough is +twenty-three miles long, and twelve in width.</p> + +<p>To get at the various small trout rivers +running into all these great lakes in the +north of Ireland, I would recommend, to gain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +information of the cross-roads, Leigh's Road +Book of Ireland and Dublin Railway Guide.</p> + +<p>The angler will now take his departure from +the north and proceed to Dublin, <i>viâ</i> Belfast and +Draugheda, at this place he comes to the river +Boyne, where he may spend a few pleasant +days at "Old Bridge," a place about three +miles up the river at the "weirs." There is +good Salmon fishing at this place when the +tide is out, and on the flow of the tide he will +take capital Grilse and Sea-Trout.</p> + +<p>For the Boyne, the best flies are claret, brown, +olive, green, orange, and black, with brown +mallard wings, and turkey tail feathers. Plain +ones in general are best.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LAKES OF WESTMEATH.</h2> + + +<p>After leaving Draugheda, the angler will +reach Dublin by rail in a very short time, +where he will take his place in the railway +carriage for Mullingar, the county town of +Westmeath; here, he is in the centre of +numerous fine lakes, well stored with large +trout that will take the fly most freely in May<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +and June; the whole country round this place +is most pleasingly diversified by romantic sites, +gentlemen's mansions, and extensive lakes.</p> + +<p>There are two lakes in the neighbourhood, +or environs of Mullingar, which are "Lough +Ennel" and "Lough Owel," to the north of the +town; the first named one is the best for large +trout. There are good boats and fishermen to +be had here. A little farther northward is +Lough Iron, and the river Jenny, which takes +its course to the Shannon. The best lake of +them all is "Derevaragh," still further to the +north; the town of Castlepollard is the best +station to stay to fish this fine lake; the trout +run twelve and fourteen pounds in it.</p> + +<p>Lough Lane and Dromore are close to the +last named lake. The angling in May is most +excellent, with the green drake; it is called the +drake season, and at this period the largest +fish are caught; the green drake which I have +described, is the right sort for the lakes, with +large whole upright wings double the ordinary +size.</p> + +<p>The trout flies in general are brown, green, +grey, red, black, hare's ear and yellow, hare's +ear and brown, hare's ear and olive, fiery brown,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +claret, orange, and yellow flies, and in rough +weather gaudy grilse flies are good.</p> + +<p>The flexible minnow would be a capital bait, +drawn after the boat, when the trout are not +inclined to take the fly.—See an angling tour +of the lakes by "Jeffery Green Drake."</p> + +<p>There is very good salmon and trout fishing +to be had in the County Tipperary, at the town +of Cahir, situated on the Suir; Kilcommon +Cottage on the river side, is a place of great +beauty, and the angler may amuse himself in +the demesne of Lord Cahir, which contains +560 acres; this place and Clonmel may be +reached by railway from Dublin, and on arriving +at Kilkenny there is very good fishing in the +river Barrow at the town, on the road to Cahir.</p> + +<p>There is a small river called Killmacow, two +miles above Waterford, running into the Suir, +in which there is beautiful trout fishing, in the +Spring and June.</p> + +<p>There are some nice streams in Wexford, for +salmon and trout fishing. The "Slaney," at +Scarrawalsh Bridge, near the Barony Forth, is +capital for sea trout, in August and the early +Spring; there is good trout fishing the higher +you proceed up this fine river.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + +<p>In Lord Courtown's demesne, beyond Tara +Hill, there is good grilse and sea trout fishing, +the river runs through the town of Ballycannew, +a few miles above Gorey; Lord +Courtown's is not far from Gorey, who will +allow any gentleman to angle with the fly in +his charming demesne. They say that his +lordship can contrive to "fish these fish" into +the kettle alive out of the river, part of which +runs under the mansion; I cannot tell how +true this may be, the river runs close to the +house, in which there are plenty of salmon and +trout.</p> + +<p>The flies used here are rather gaudy, sea +trout size; and the list of flies for the season +will answer admirably for trout fishing.</p> + +<p>From the above place the angler may conveniently +visit the rivers in the County Wicklow, +which are all trout streams, arriving at +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Arklaw'">Arklow</ins>, on the river Ovoca.</p> + +<p>There is a very nice river<a name="FNanchor_D_4" id="FNanchor_D_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_D_4" class="fnanchor">[D]</a> running along +the southern side of the Wicklow Mountains, +passing by a place called "Little Aghrim," from +whence to the wooden bridge, three miles from +Arklow, there is excellent trout fishing in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +March, April, and May; it passes through a +long lough or piece of deep water, out of which +the trout issue in the spring into the river; +there is no obstruction on its banks from the +Wooden Bridge Inn up to Aghrim. There is +a bridge crosses the river three miles up from +the Wooden Bridge, where the angler may fish +up to Aghrim or down to the "Meetings." +The Wooden Bridge is called the "Lower +Meetings of the Waters,"—this is the most +beautiful place of any in the neighbourhood of +the Vale of Ovoca, as you can see fine vales +from the mount behind the Inn; although +from the grounds of Howard Castle, where the +little and great Avon meet, the views are sublime,—this +is Moore's "Sweet Vale of Ovoca, +where the bright waters meet."</p> + +<p>From the town of Rathdrum to the Meetings +there is good fly fishing in the spring; through +the vale there is no angling in the river, in +consequence of the copper mine water running +into it from the hills on each side, Cronebane, +and Balymurtagh.</p> + +<p>There is very little fishing in the river +Dargle, as the stream is so small, but the +scenery is magnificent, particularly in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +vicinity of Powers Court Waterfall, it is about +two miles and a half from the village of +Powers Court.</p> + +<p>The best way to go from Dublin to fish the +rivers "Avon" and "Derry," would be through +Bray and Rathdrum; begin here to fish the +Avon, to the Bridge at Howard Castle; and +from the Wooden Bridge angle up the Derry +to Aghrim, I never saw so many small trout in +my life as there are in this beautiful stream, in +the spring; there are numbers of small rivers +descending the Wicklow Mountains, towards +the east, south, and west, in which the trout +run small.</p> + +<p>We will return to Dublin and pay a visit to +the once celebrated "salmon leap," at Leixlip, +a few miles west of the City—this is a charming +place, where a few days may be spent to +advantage; the groves and rocks, and the +romantic glen are the theme of admiration. +And the Park of Castletown, the most beautiful +in the Kingdom; from the ancient castle at +the end of the town there are views of the +river and waterfall. The salmon fishing has +been spoiled here by the sewers of the City +running into the Liffey.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p>At New Bridge, on the banks of the Liffey, +the station before you come to Kildare, on the +Cork railroad, close to the celebrated "Curragh +of Kildare," a race course of 3000 acres of +verdant plain, there is capital trout fishing in +April and May, and pretty fair sport may be +had throughout the summer; the flies to suit +the river Liffey are very small, and those little +ones in my list for the season will answer well.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_D_4" id="Footnote_D_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_D_4"><span class="label">[D]</span></a> The River Derry.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE RIVER LEE, AT CORK,</h2> + + +<p>Would be as good a place as any in Ireland +"to go to fish," were it not for the "weirs," and +foul play in many ways, which is practised all +the way up, on the poor salmon; there is some +little sport to be had in it in the spring, and +after heavy rains. The flies to suit it are +rather plain and small, blue, grey, brown, +claret, and green; mallard wings, mixed with +a little golden pheasant tail and neck feathers; +blue macaw feelers, black head, and mixed tails +like the wings. Hook B CC, in high water +BB and No. 9.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + +<h2>SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND.</h2> + + +<p>We will bid adieu to old Ireland for a season, +and its fair city Dublin, "with the blue sky +over it," and step into the steam boat at Kingston +for Holyhead, seat ourselves in a carriage, +and trundle off to bonny Scotland—a country +of many waters, stored with fine fish; we cross +the Tweed, at Berwick, of pastoral fame, and +dash into "Auld Reekey" with flying colours in +no time.</p> + +<p>The beautiful city of Edinburgh must not +be left without viewing it from end to end, as +it is worth while to spend a day or two in it, +if you have not been there, were it only to +inspect its monuments and antiquities, which +are numerous, in fact, the city at large is a complete +curiosity. From here the angler will be +able to take rail for Perth, on the banks of the +famous "river Tay;" and as the line touches on +Stirling, should it be convenient, there might +be a day or two spent on the Forth. There +are abundance of trout about four miles up +the river, and some salmon; small plain flies +suit it best.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE RIVER TAY.</h2> + + +<p>This beautiful salmon river is the principal +one in Perthshire, in its course it expands into +Loch Tay, on leaving which it finds itself a +channel and becomes rapid for miles; it has a +long course, passing the towns of Dunkeld +and Perth, and falls into the sea at Dundee.</p> + +<p>The river Erne, after a long and rapid course +falls into the Tay below Perth. There is also +the "Timel," at the pass of Cillecrankey, on +the road to Inverness from Dunkeld, and is +fourteen miles from the latter place, there is a +small inn close to the river, in which there is +good trout fishing; the coach from Perth +stops here to change horses and breakfast; it +is a fine rushing stream. And also the +"Keith," at Blair Dummond, where there is a +very high waterfall, the sound of which can be +heard at some distance; it falls into the Tay.</p> + +<p>There is excellent angling for salmon and +sea trout in the river Tay, five or six miles +above Perth, in September and October; the +white trout are in abundance in this river in +the latter month; the salmon run very large in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +this water, in April, May, and June; and are +best taken with large salmon flies of rather a +sombre hue.</p> + +<p>At the town of Dunkeld there is famous +fishing in the Spring and Autumn. From +Dundee to Perth and Dunkeld, through the +"Carse of Gowrie," the Valley of the Tay +is one of the most beautiful parts of all +Scotland, in my estimation; at both sides of +the river it is interspersed with excellent +gentlemen's seats, and beautiful grounds.</p> + +<p>There is a fishery a little above the Bridge +of Perth, which is very productive.</p> + +<p>The flies to suit this fine river are:—</p> + +<p>No. 1. Brown pig hair bodies, ribbed with +gold, dark brown-red hackle, wings light brown +spotted turkey tail, red tag, and a scarlet joint +above it; the body to be made long and taper. +Hook No. 8. Rather large for the spring.</p> + +<p>No. 2. A bronze peacock harl body, ribbed +with gold tinsel, a brown-red hackle, and wings +of mallard mixed with hen pheasant tail, the +tail of the golden pheasant, red tail of mohair +cut short, and the body to be thin. No. 9 hook.</p> + +<p>No. 3. Brown mohair body, with a long +red-brown spotted grouse hackle; the wings a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +mixture of mallard, brown turkey, and a little +hen pheasant tail. Hook No. 8 or 9.</p> + +<p>No. 4. A puce mohair body ribbed with +silver, purple hackle over it, yellow tail of +small topping, and a yellow hackle round the +shoulder; wings of golden pheasant tail, with +a little spotted bustard, a topping over all, and +a black head. Hook No. 8 or 9. (A piece of +wood-duck each side.)</p> + +<p>No. 5. An orange body ribbed with black +silk and gold tinsel, topping in the tail, and a +black-red hackle over it, (a hackle with the +black streak running all the way through it); +scarlet tag and tail; wings light brown turkey +tail, rather lighter at the tips, a few fibres of +wood-duck each side, the same quantity of +bustard, and a bronze head. Hook No. 9, or +for high water, No. 7.</p> + +<p>This fly will be found an excellent killer in +the Tay, or any other river in Scotland.</p> + +<p>These, with the twelve painted and engraved +flies, no man can desire better. Nos. 3, 4, 5, +and 11, will be found excellent in low water, +and Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, in high water.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Sea-Trout Flies</span> are orange bodies, +mixed wings, jay at shoulder, silver tinsel, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +a small topping for tail. Hook <i>fff</i> or C, say +No. 6, Kendal.</p> + +<p>Blue body, black hackle ribbed with silver, +and mallard wings. Hook CC.</p> + +<p>Green body, black hackle, gold twist, and +dark brown turkey wings.</p> + +<p>Light brown body, red hackle, gold twist, +two fibres of red Ibis for tail, and glede wings. +Hook No. 6 or 7. In low water they take them +rather small, with the tinsel, of course.</p> + +<p>Hare's ear body, ribbed with silver twist, a +greyish dark hackle, the colour of the dark fur +on the ear, mallard wings, and tail of the same. +Make another fly mixed with orange and yellow +mohair.</p> + +<p>A black fly ribbed with silver tinsel, black +wing with white tips, black hackle, and a yellow +head and tail. Hook C.</p> + +<p>It would be as well to try very small gaudy +flies occasionally, as you may rise a grilse +during the time you are fishing for white-trout. +A grilse loves to rise at a middling gaudy fly +after leaving the sea. Blue, green, and red +flies are all good.</p> + +<p>I will give three more favorites that will not +miss:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>No. 1. Body brown claret colour, mixed +with the fur of hare's ear, ribbed with silver +twist, a short black hackle, wings rather light +brown mallard, and a black head. Hook, +Green Drake size, or No. 6.</p> + +<p>No. 2. A black body, tipped with orange +silk, ribbed with silver twist, a black hackle, +and dark brown turkey tail wings. Hook +No. 6 or C, varied with blue body and black-red +hackle.</p> + +<p>No. 3. A blue dun body, a dun hackle +ribbed with silver twist, tail two fibres of mallard, +and grey mallard for wings. Hook C, or +No. 6. A fly with an olive body, and one with +yellow and mallard wings, are good. These +flies will be found great killers where the fish +are plentiful, with a good ripple on the water, +and would do admirably on the Dee and Don, +at Aberdeen.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE DEE AND DON.</h2> + + +<p>These rivers run into the sea at Aberdeen, +and are excellent for Salmon and Trout fishing—the +Dee for Salmon, and the Don more for +Trout, which are most delicious for the table; +they cut as pink as Salmon. The white-trout +fishing is good here in October, and the flies I +have just given for the Tay will kill admirably +in these rivers; and for salmon, will be capital +ones, made a size or two larger. When I +visited that country a few years back, I walked +up the Dee one evening, and at a shallow ford, +above the bridge, there were two men "stroke-hauling" +the salmon as they run up out of the +pool below, and which they called their rented +fishery; they rushed into the stream with a +sort of net in their hands, and had them out +in quick time. As the fish run, the water did +not appear to cover their backs. I was told, +were it not for this practice, the river would be +swarming.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE RIVER SPEY.</h2> + + +<p>This splendid Salmon river runs through +Elginshire, and a nobler one there is not to be +found for fishing with the salmon fly, particularly +in high water, and in the large pools +when the water is low. In summer there is +little sport to be had, except in these pools, +with a good ripple, and towards the sea, from +the bridge at Fochabers, a capital station, with +an excellent inn. Early in the morning and +late in the evening, are the best times in the +heat of summer. I had a fly sent me some +years past, by McPherson Grant, about the +size of C or drake size, with which he killed a +salmon, twenty pounds weight, in the Spey. +The body of the fly was made of yellow silk, +red cock's hackle, toucan tail ribbed with gold, +jay at the shoulder, a neat gaudily mixed wing, +feelers of blue and yellow macaw, and a small +black head. It was one of my flies, which, if +made on large size hooks, will kill anywhere. +The above little fly is just the sort for low +water, and should be adopted, made very small, +in the summer months. The salmon should<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +be thrown for with this sort of fly, in rapid +currents rushing into deep holes, where the +fish lie. The winged larva would do well in +such places for grilse and sea-trout. In the +spring, flies the size of No. 12, are used, with +long thin silk bodies of orange, yellow, red, +and green colours, red hackles, jay and mixed +wings, with red feathers prevailing in them, +and black heads, ribbed with gold and silver +tinsel. The fifteen painted Salmon Flies will +be found great killers in this river, varied in +size according to the state of the water.</p> + +<p>There is a river which runs past the town of +Banff, the Keith, in which there is good angling +a few miles up from the broad part of the +water. Guinea hen and jay hackles kill here, +with grouse and brown body, mallard wings +mixed with turkey tail, and small size hooks, +say CC or B.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE FINDHORN</h2> + + +<p>is another fine Salmon river after heavy rains, +which swell it to a prodigious size, as shown +by its channel in low water, high ridges of sand +and gravel being thrown up on each side of its +banks at every flat running ford in its course +to the sea. The flies to suit it are:—</p> + +<p>No. 1. Brown body, gold tinsel, wings +copper-coloured mallard, and a brown grouse +hackle. Hook No. 8, and BB.</p> + +<p>No. 2. Body brown floss silk, ribbed with +silver, large motley brown cock's tail feather +over the body, and a spotted turkey tail for +wings. No. 9 hook.</p> + +<p>No. 3. Body, puce floss silk ribbed with +silver, black-red hackle, a mixed wing of glede, +turkey tail, and mallard, with a topping over +all, and a dark claret or purple hackle. Hook +No. 9.</p> + +<p>No. 4. Light puce body with a hackle of +the same colour, topping for tail, and a gaudily +mixed wing, (not too much so) broad silver. +No. 8 hook.</p> + +<p>No. 5. Yellow body, puce hackle, mixed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +wings, rib of silver, and tail a topping. Hook +No. 9. These, with the painted ones, will do +the work to a nicety in this dashing river.</p> + +<p>The River Nairne, in these quarters, is not +a bad one for grilse and salmon fishing in +September; the town of Nairne, is the most +convenient station, beginning a few miles up, +and proceeding higher; the small salmon flies +that I have given for the Spey will suit this +river well.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>RIVERS AND LAKES ADJACENT<br /> +TO FORT WILLIAM, ON THE<br /> +CALEDONIAN CANAL.</h2> + + +<p>These wild and majestic scenes in the heart +of the Highlands of Scotland are without +doubt splendid, either to look upon or for the +purpose of salmon and trout fishing, the +recollections of such to the intelligent and +contemplative mind of the gentle angler who +has visited this region, must be lasting and +agreeable. <a name="FNanchor_E_5" id="FNanchor_E_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_E_5" class="fnanchor">[E]</a>The sail down the Clyde from +Glasgow, passing Dumbarton Castle (on a rock<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +in the water to the right), to Greenock, is most +enchanting; opposite this fine town the angler +will observe a grand expanse of deep and blue +salt water, bordered in the distance with +mountains dark and high, filling the imagination +with awe, while pacing the decks of the +frail but well appointed little steam boat Helen +McGregor in the gloom, as she creaks away +through briny silvered waves of lakes, estuaries, +and straits, to Caledonia's "noblest work"—the +Great Canal. Rounding a rough northern +head land, where seven currents meet, of seas, +sounds, and straits, Crenan in the wake, compassing +the shore in Jura Sound, the "little +Helen" struggling with the swelling tide, appeared +to be standing still though at full +speed; Loch Etive, on the starboard—into +whose bosom, Awe's serpentine waters steal at +solitary "Bunaw;" Lismore in the distance, +Mull in our wake, due West—the rapid subsiding—through +it "the fair one" tripped gallantly. +In these "meetings of the waters," what +oceans of salmon sported and played at large in +their blue and fresh element, far from the wily +bars! The "Heroine" seemed at once to be +stepping up hills from lock to lock, till she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +levelled the base of "Ben Nevis;" close to which +mighty mountain, the "fair one" squatted for +the night. Glad enough were her living freight +to get on firm footing, and wend their way +across a mossy plain, without a rolling stone, +to a little house under a hill, that kept beds +"well aired," and "usquebaugh," for travellers. +At the dawn of morning, through the haze, +could be descried, "Fair Helen," smoking—her +steam was up—sitting, "sidey for sidey," by +the lofty Ben, the sight of which, to look up +at, was staggering. He had yet his nightcap +on of hazy grey, but enough of the giant hill +could be denoted that his base on that side +was hewn away, facilitating the great track. +This morning, away went the "fair one," +rattling like "sticks a breaking." Hurrah for +Fort William—a voice, "and the Camerons of +Lochiel,"—here we are at Crystal Laggan, +Lochiel, and Lochey's excellent waters for the +Salmon Trout—(I will give the flies to suit +them a little further on). "Fair Helen" began +her movements slowly for some time, creeping +through locks, o'er hills, in basins—Macomer +on the starboard,—Lochiel, farewell!—now +skimming into saltless "Lochey's" (famed for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +its ancient mountain clans) soft and balmy +waters; through the lake she dashed, breast +high—a strait ahead—steaming by Balalister +at seven knots by the log, soundings the +deep nine, "Fair Helen" entered the gorge, +and now rushing down an inclined plain, to +the fear of the timid, and delight of the stouthearted, +double quick did run the "fair one," +making up for lost time experienced in the +"meeting of the waters"—through lock gates, +up hills, &c., now through an embankment, +nearing Fort Augustus, and the head of Lochness, +down she settled between two stupendous +lock gates. "What aw-fu' gates!" What work +bestowed on them—what an enormous depth +are they—the wet and muddy sides of which +beat chilly. Down, "down below," went the +"fair one," till she levelled the golden waters +of—"O, that lovely lake,"—into which she +slipped like a fairy elf. After her cold incarceration, +"Helen the Fair" tripped merrily down +the centre of the "fathomless Lochness," the +sun breaking, beamed out upon us cheeringly +after the chill and hazy morning. Like looking-glass +did that sun-lit lake appear, stretching +away before us, losing itself in the distance,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +bordered by hills and mountains on either side, +till on the larboard was seen Morrison's lonely +glen and meandering stream. We neared the +bay, sounded whistle, and lowered steam. A +few minutes more, and off went the Helen +McGregor, making head like a waddling duck +through the valley of golden<a name="FNanchor_F_6" id="FNanchor_F_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_F_6" class="fnanchor">[F]</a> waters. Hush! +The mountain sylph is heard in the cabin. +Hush! by the powers, it's Phillips, warbling +the incantation of the wizard of the glen.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"Farewell to the mountain,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And sun-lighted vale."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>O, shade of Wilson! the soul of Scottish +song. Angler, may you rest in peace. On the +starboard was observed the "Falls of Fyres," +descending, perpendicularly, over a craggy +precipice—most curious. "Bonny Helen" +slid smoothly along, till, at the "heel of the +evening," we entered the last embankment +of Caledonia's Grand Canal, just where the +beautiful river Ness issues out of "that lake," +opening into a lovely and fertile valley, in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +centre of which is a boat upset, an antiquity, +covered with motley trees. A few minutes +more and we were safely landed at the quay of +the fair and sweet metropolis of the ancient +Highlands, Inverness, seated on a hill above +the river. O, I sigh for the days that will +never return! High and airy rock, I split +upon you twice, steering northwise fra' bonny +Dundee, through the "Carse o' Gowrie," by +Laburnam, to famed Dunkeld, on Tay's noble +waters; Blair Athol and Fore's Macbeth crossed +the source of Spay, through a waste and dreary +plain, with villages far apart, where ran those +weirdy thinly kilted lads to see the "four-in-hand;" +up hill, down dale, and heathered moor +we steered, till at length we galloped towards +the glooming, by the graves of dark Culloden's +blood-stained field—nearing the city, on went +the drag, and over a well macadamised road, +"knapped" by the hardy highland wight, we +hurried into Inverness. Alas! this bronchial +asthma, that shuts me from that fishing. +Fond memory brings the light of other days +around me.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_E_5" id="Footnote_E_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_E_5"><span class="label">[E]</span></a> The Author's trip.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_F_6" id="Footnote_F_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_F_6"><span class="label">[F]</span></a> There is a kind of slimy weed, of a yellow colour, +that is produced at the bottom of the lake, which causes +that appearance, and is injurious to fly fishing in the +river.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<h2>SALMON FLIES FOR FORT WILLIAM,<br /> +&c. &c.</h2> + + +<p>The flies to suit the various waters surrounding +Fort William are generally of a medium +size and middling gaudy. The engraved +ones in my list, for Salmon in general, from +No. 2 to 11, will kill well. The list for the +season for Trout.</p> + +<p>No. 1. Light blue body, rib of silver, guinea +hen hackle, blue jay, topping in tail; wings, +teal, mallard, guinea hen rump feather, peacock +wing feather, and blue and yellow feelers of +macaw. No. 9 hook, or BB.</p> + +<p>No. 2. A small size fly like the above, varied +with black floss body. A good sort for the +Lochy. Hook C or CC.</p> + +<p>No. 3. A fly like the first, varied in the body +thus: yellow tag, silver tints, and a small topping +for tail; a blue mohair joint, then a red +one, another blue joint, then an orange one +under the fly at the shoulder, and a blue head. +Hook No. 9 or BB; a C for lake Trout.</p> + +<p>No. 4. A claret fly, with wings and tail like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +the first one, varied with yellow-brown body +and hackle, and ribbed with gold. BB hook, +and CC for lake Trout, with a bronze head.</p> + +<p>No. 5. A fly with grass-green floss silk, +ribbed with gold, black-red hackle, and blue +head; the wings and tail like the first. Vary +the body with different greens. Hooks from +CC up to No. 9.</p> + +<p>No. 6. A black body, with black legs, silver +tinsel and cock of the north rump feathers for +the wings; some call it the "copperkeilsey." +Hook C, CC and B. This is the celebrated +Kenloch of Kenloch.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SALMON FLIES FOR THE NESS.</h2> + + +<p>No. 1. Body half black and yellow, a jay +and purple hackle ribbed with silver, orange +head, mallard, peacock wing and jungle cock +wings. Hook BB.</p> + +<p>No. 2. Body black hair, orange tag, ribbed +with gold and silver, black hackle, jay at the +shoulder, wings mixed, of guinea hen, teal, two +small tipped feathers, and two toppings over +all a little longer, tail a small topping, and a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +bronze head. Hook B or BB. This will be +found a great killer in the Ness and Beauley, a +beautiful stream at the head of the Murray +Firth.</p> + +<p>No. 3. Body yellow-brown pig hair, ribbed +with gold, small, topping for tail, red cock's +hackle and blue jay, wings of golden pheasant +tail, mixed with mallard, neck feather, teal, and +guinea hen, green parrot and macaw feelers, +and a black head. Hook No. 9 or B; for low +water, C. This is a capital fly for either the +Ness or Beauley. These, with the painted +flies, made small, will suit well.</p> + +<p>There is a kind of yellowish slimy weed on +the bottom of the Ness which proceeds from +Loch Ness, that is injurious to the propagation +of the salmon of late years, and it affects the +fly fishing considerably, to the great disappointment +and vexation of the good anglers of the +north.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE RIVER SHIN.</h2> + + +<p>Classic Shin, on whose heath-clad banks and +flowing waters the great and good fly fishers +roam, who never saw "Kelt of Baggit" there—the +haunt of monarchs of the sea, and shepherd +swains that watch His flocks, and feed His +Dams—the theme of poetess, and the learned. +O, "Ephemera," how beautifully written is +that "Book of the Salmon;" how exquisitely +delineated that "Ova;" how admirably that +"golden fish," which bounds up falls and cataracts +in that purling "meandering" stream; +how charming to gaze upon that lovely "Goddess +of the Brooks"—the famed Ondine—how +rightly represented. Oh! excellent "Ephemera"—my +good and constant friend—the +"great and good Will Blacker's" tears (I blush) +descend like rain through these sky lights, and +damp the very sheets my palsied pen doth +blot. Alas! well-a-day-that noble salmon +fishing—what sport! These lean and bellows'd +sides are winded—this flattened chest, once +full, now dented—these calves, once plump, +now thin and gone—these shins, once clad, are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +now protruding. The "puss" more chronic +heaves, yes, I still can fish! These cheeks, +how pale (their bones "can't grind"), once +rosy, the pride of more than "Reva's" lovely +blooming rose, my blessed bosom friend, my +wife, whose lamp is trimmed. O, "Ephemera!" +friend, when shall we meet, with rod in hand, +on pure and crystal Shin?—</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"When summer comes,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The heather bells entice,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Our feet to roam.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The mournful dove,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Within the dale invites,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To peace and love."</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>O, summer's glorious sun! I await thee, to +tan this shrivelled, shorn hide. O! come, +and regenerate this sapless tree with heavenly +warmth.</div> + +<div class='poem'> +My heart's in the Highlands,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My heart is not here;</span><br /> +My heart's in the Highlands,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chasing the deer,</span><br /> +Chasing the wild deer,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And following the roe,</span><br /> +My heart's in the Highlands,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wherever I go.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>I cannot add a fly to the list for the Shin in +the "Book of the Salmon," by "Ephemera,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +except that I submit to the notice of the great +salmon fishers of Shin those model flies in my +list for trial, which, no doubt, will kill. I +never fished the Shin, although I have been +twice near it. Mr. Young, of Invershin, the +renter of the river, will show gentlemen +angling there every possible facility, civility, +and politeness. The "Queen's Gap," in the +cruives, is lifted on sabbath days.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE RIVER THURSO.</h2> + + +<p>The Thurso, famed for its fresh run salmon +throughout the year, is the most northern +river in Scotland. The town of Thurso, in +Caithness-shire, is the best station, and the +route, from Aberdeen to Wick.</p> + +<p>The salmon flies for Thurso are rather of a +plain and sombre cast, varying in size through +the fishing months. The river is remarkably +high and full in the spring, in consequence of +the melting of the snow and ice, and at that +period requires large flies, like No. 12; further +on in the season they are much smaller in size, +like Nos. 1, 2, 3, to No. 11, which are capital +ones for it, and the other engravings are likewise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +good in low water for the fresh run grilse. +Throughout the summer months the following +are also good for this river:—</p> + +<p>No. 1. Body black floss silk, orange tag, +tip of gold, small topping for tail, black-red +hackle, mallard wings mixed with peacock wing, +a topping over all, and a black head. Hook +BB, B.</p> + +<p>No. 2. Body claret silk, claret hackle, ribbed +with gold, a short topping tail, with silver tip, +mallard wings mixed with tipped feathers, macaw +feelers, and a black head. Hook No. 9, or +B. This is an admirable fly for lake trout, on +C hook.</p> + +<p>No. 3. Body yellow-brown mohair, red +hackle, a short topping for tail, ribbed with +gold, claret hackle round the shoulder, and +mixed wings rather grey, and inclined to be +gaudy. No. 9 hook, or BB. C, for lake trout.</p> + +<p>No. 4. A black fly, with yellow head, tail of +mohair, black hackle, ribbed with broad silver, +wings black turkey tail with white tip, varied +with brown turkey tail. A fly of each is useful. +Hook No. 8 or 9.</p> + +<p>No. 5. A green fly, both body and hackle, +mixed wings rather gaudy, ribbed with gold,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +orange head, topping in tail, varied with a +black-red hackle, and light green silk body +ribbed with gold twist. Hook B or BB.</p> + +<p>No. 6. A dark brown fly, brown red hackle +and body, ribbed with gold twist, and glede +wings, varied with brown spotted turkey tail +feather or mallard, one of each. Hook No. 8 +or 9, B for low water.</p> + +<p>There is a good deal of guinea hen and teal +feathers used in the flies of these northern +rivers, which appears to be an improvement, +with jungle-cock and wood-duck.</p> + +<p>There is a river issues out of Loch Naver, +a short way from the source of the Thurso, +which falls into the sea in the same direction +west of the town of Thurso; it has a winding +course, and would be a very good river for +salmon were it well preserved.</p> + +<p>There are numerous rivers running into the +firths on the east side of Sutherland, which +produce salmon and fine trout that run up +from the sea:—the Wick and Helmsdale in +Caithness, the Brora near Golspie, the Dornoch +into which the river Shin flows, Drummond and +Loch Clash, Dingwall river and lake, and the +river Beauley at the head of the Murray Firth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + +<p>Lord Lovat is the owner of this river, and +he is very willing to grant permission to gentlemen +to fish on sending in their cards.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE RIVER ESK.</h2> + + +<p>The North and South Esk are rivers of +Forfar, falling into the sea near Montrose. The +North Esk is the best of the two, and affords +excellent angling for salmon and sea-trout in +August and September. These rivers may be +visited by rail from Aberdeen or Dundee, at +the present day. I have been told by a gentleman +residing at Forfar, that the North Esk was +sometimes swarming with salmon and grilse to +an incredible extent. The wealthy proprietor +of the river will give instant permission to +gentlemen to fly fish, information of which he +can obtain at the town of Montrose, on the +Great Northern Railroad.</p> + +<p>The flies to suit these rivers are small and +plain. A small claret fly with mallard wings; +a fly with brown body and a furnace hackle, +mallard wings mixed with blue peacock neck +feather, strips of mallard in tail, and gold. +Hook C or CC.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + +<p>An orange body fly of floss silk, a black +hackle, gold, the wings mixed of light and dark +mallard, the light feathers are found under the +wings of the wild drake on the body, the brown +copper-coloured ones on its back growing down +from the roots of the wings, (use floss silk for +the bodies). A black fly, with silver and black +hackle, and teal wings mixed with blue peacock +neck. Hook C or CC.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LOCH LEVEN.</h2> + + +<p>The trout fly fisher staying at Stirling, or +its neighbourhood, on the Great Northern, will +find himself agreeably situated in the centre of +many beautiful streams, to which he may have +easy access. At the town of Kinross, by the +head of Loch Leven, is a nice station for the +lake, and at the village of Largo, to fish the +river Leven, below which place it enters the +sea at the mouth of the Firth of Forth. A +short distance from Largo, near the Promontory, +is the town of Anstruther, famous for a +monument to the memory of "Maggy Lauder." +I had the pleasure of once seeing it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the Edinburgh and Northern line from +Stirling, is the town of Kettle, on the "River +Eden," a good station. There are grilse and +sea-trout run up it out of the bay of St. +Andrew's, in the spring and autumn. Try +about the town of Cupar, and near its source, +at "Auchtermuchty."</p> + +<p>The flies to suit it are, hare's ears, black +hackles, red hackles, and furnace flies, varied +in size.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE RIVER ALLAN.</h2> + + +<p>This is a good stream for trout fishing; it +enters the Forth below Stirling, just above the +town of Aloa. It has an extraordinary winding +course, flowing through a picturesque country, +and famed in poetic lore as "Allan's winding +stream."</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"On the banks of Allan water,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">When the sweet spring time did fall,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lived the miller's lovely daughter,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The fairest of them all.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For his bride a soldier sought her,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And a winning tongue had he;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">On the banks of Allan's water,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">There was none so gay as she."</span><br /> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sea-trout and grilse run up the Allan in +spring and autumn, which afford good sport. +The small trout flies in my list suit this river +capitally.</p> + +<p>A few miles above Stirling there is good +fishing up to Loch Katrine, commencing below +the town of Dumblane, on the Scottish Central +Line, and fish up to "Callander," on the east +of Ben Lomond. Dumblane is famed as the +birth place of "Charming Jessie," in Burns' +poetic muse—</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"The sun had gan' doun<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">O'er the lofty Ben Lomond,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And left the red clouds</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To preside o'er the scene,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">When lanely I stray'd in</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The calm summer gla'ming,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To muse on sweet Jessie,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The flower of Dumblane."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>There is another stream that runs down from +"Aberfildy" to Stirling, in which there is excellent +trout fishing. It has a winding course, +falling over rocks, rushing through gorges, +down precipices in its way, where it forms +deep holes for itself, which in the summer are +the haunts of large and fine trout.</p> + +<p>The flies to suit it are, small dark hare's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +ears, small black hackles, red and black ants, +browns, small duns, and hare's ear and yellow, +the blue blow, the brown midge, and in the +spring, the March brown, and stone fly, for +large fish.</p> + +<p>There is a very nice stream running out of +"Loch Lomond" into the river Clyde, at the +town of Dumbarton, in which there are sea-trout +in the spring and autumn. They take +very small dun flies, silver greys and black +midges, the dark hare's ear, and red hackle.</p> + +<p>The picturesque Loch Lomond affords good +trout fishing along its gravelly shores, and near +the islands. There are two flies that kill well +in it, which are as follows: Black body and +hackle, tip of silver, wings of the short bronze +feathers of the back of the peacock. No. 6 +hook, or <i>fff</i>. The other one is, red body, red +hackle, and a wing like the first, both tailed +with two fibres of the feather of the wings. I +received these two flies from a gentleman, one +time when I was at Glasgow, who confirmed +them as "out-and-outers."</p> + +<p>There are fish called Pullen, very numerous +in Loch Lomond, the shape and size of herrings, +which are also numerous in Loch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +Neagh, in the north of Ireland. They sell in +Belfast as "fresh water herrings."</p> + +<p>When a young man, I denominated Belfast +my favorite home, among my dear friends of +the rod and gun. Newry, in the County of +Down, was the home of my ancestors. My +first crying was behind "Cronebaun" hills, in +the County of Wicklow, near the "Ovoca," +famed for "sweetness" and poetic muse of +Erin's humble bard, Tom Moore.</p> + +<p>Looking over the Wicklow sands, where many +a poor fisherman foundered, in the village<a name="FNanchor_G_7" id="FNanchor_G_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_G_7" class="fnanchor">[G]</a> of +"Red Cross," was the first sight my "mama" +got of me; like a cloistered nun, I was covered +in a veil, which, they say, would always keep +me from the "briny depths." Many "crosses" +have I had since January 14th, 1814, the "hard +winter" which corresponds with that of last +year. Mature years of experience make wise +men. Forty and one summers having rolled +over my head, the dishevelled ringlets of which +are now sprinkled with "honorable grey"—bashful +man, hide your blushes—my ruddy tint +flies when I tell you, my dear anglers, that my +sincere desire is to love every good man, as God<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +has taught me. There is no one I despise, +disposed at all times to revere superiors, condescend +to those who perchance may be my +inferiors, continent to kind friends, and forgiving +to enemies, if any. Unless we profit +by charity, all other profit seems void.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_G_7" id="Footnote_G_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_G_7"><span class="label">[G]</span></a> The mansion is roofless, says "Rory O'More."</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LOCH AWE AND RIVER.</h2> + + +<p>This celebrated lake, on the western side of +Scotland, may be conveniently reached from +Glasgow. There are steam boats sail two or +three times a week up Loch Fine to Inverary, +where there can be every information gained +respecting conveyances to the inn at Loch Awe, +where boats and men are to be had. It is a +long and narrow lake in places, and in summer +most cheering and pleasant to the fly fishers +resorting there. Good angling may be found +in the river running by Glenorchy into the lake, +where it again issues out of it, and is called the +River Awe.</p> + +<p>It runs with a full and rapid stream, has but +a short course, falling into the salt water lake, +or estuary, called "Etive," opposite the island +of Mull.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> + +<p>There could be no better river or lake in +the kingdom for salmon, were it not for the +"cruives," that, of course, "weed them all +away," the proprietor of which is most obliging +to grant permission to gentlemen anglers who +visit it. The purity of these waters facilitates +the propagation of the salmon wonderfully, +were they allowed ingress and egress. When +the fishing laws are altered, and a reformation +made, there will be grand fly fishing, as good +as can be found in Norway. In the neighbourhood +of good salmon and trout fishing +rivers, the people, whom the anglers employ, +are very much benefited, and particularly innkeepers, +on their banks, and in towns where +there is not much traffic. The angler's heart is +"in fishing" wherever he goes.</p> + +<p>The salmon and trout flies to suit Loch Awe +and river (my memoranda are generally correct).</p> + +<p>No. 1. An original and most killing fly for +salmon:—Body black ostrich harl, ribbed with +gold, a tag of yellow mohair at the tail, tail a +very short topping, a rich black-red hackle +rolled over the black sparingly, and a mallard +wing, made to stand well up and apart. Hook +BB, or No. 9. C for lake trout.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + +<p>No. 2. A brown body, black hackle ribbed +with gold, and grouse wings. Hook CC.</p> + +<p>No. 3. Bronze peacock body, ribbed with +gold twist, black-red cock's hackle, and dark +brown grouse rump feather mixed with turkey +tail for wings. Hook BB. C for trout in the +lake.</p> + +<p>No. 4. A cinnamon fly, with glede wings +mixed with jungle cock, and ribbed with gold. +B hook. No. 9 for the river.</p> + +<p>No. 5. A black body, silver tinsel, black +hackle, full teal wings, yellow head, and tail. +Hook B.</p> + +<p>No. 6. A dark green fly ribbed with gold, +silver pheasant tail mixed with mallard for +wings, a small topping in tail, and orange +head. Hook BB, or C.</p> + +<p>A blue fly with teal wings and blue hackle +ribbed with silver, topping in the tail, and red +head of mohair, hook B, or BB; and a fly with +peacock harl body, black hackle, hen pheasant +tail wings mixed, and the tail of the cock bird. +Hook B, or C for trout.</p> + +<p>The large trout flies in my list for the season +are excellent ones for the lake, and Nos. 3, 4, +5, and 11, for salmon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> + +<p>There is good salmon fishing to be had in +Islay, south of Mull. The steam boat from +Glasgow calls there twice a week. Mr. Campbell, +the laird, resides in the island, who +gives permission, unhesitatingly, to gentlemen +making application to him.</p> + +<p>The river is at the landing place of the +steamer; the salmon, which are numerous in +it, take small gaudy flies—blue body and hackle, +brown, claret, red, black, and green flies.</p> + +<p>There is also salmon fishing to be had in +"Jura Isle," a little to the north of Islay.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE RIVERS IRVINE, GIRVAN, AND<br /> +STINCHER, IN AYRSHIRE.</h2> + + +<p>In this westerly quarter may be found excellent +Salmon and Trout fishing in the spring +and autumn in these beautiful streams, which +can be reached from the city of Glasgow every +day by rail.</p> + +<p>The Stincher is the best for salmon, the flies +for which are browns, blacks, reds, and greys, +all plainly dressed ones. I will describe one +here, a great favourite of a gentleman friend of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +mine, Mr. Murdoch,—Stephen Blair, &c. At +Glasgow, some years ago, on my stay in that +city; I give his name, as he used to call my +flies "mest noble flees," and laughed heartily +to see the manœuvring of the hook in my +fingers.</p> + +<p>The body of Mr. Murdoch's fly was in joints +of pig hair picked out, and at the head a black-red +hackle; first, there was a tip of gold, a tag +of yellow hair, then a joint of orange, a joint +of fiery brown, a joint of claret, and a joint of +black pig hair or mohair, spaniel hair is best; +the wings a light brown turkey tail feather with +white tips, tied on topping a little longer than +the bend of the hook, a very small topping in +the tail. Hook No. 8 for high water.</p> + +<p>Mr. Murdoch was a native of Ayr, and a keen +fisher, and used to speak much of his angling +in the "waters o' Doon."</p> + +<p>From Ayr, the angler may proceed to the +lakes of Cumberland, <i>viâ</i> Carlisle, Keswick, and +Bowness.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<h2>RIVERS OF WALES.—THE CONWAY.</h2> + + +<p>There would be excellent salmon fishing in +Wales were the rivers properly preserved. The +Conway (North Wales) is a beautiful stream, +and it is a great pity it should be neglected; +however, I believe it will be very soon protected +from the nets, &c., as there are a few +spirited gentlemen in the neighbourhood of +Llanwrist and Aberconway, who will rent and +preserve it for fly fishing only, all the way +up from the town of Conway to Capel Curig. +The salmon flies in my list, made on small +size hooks, will suit it well, varied according +to the state of the water; and my list of trout +flies will be found admirable for it. Information +respecting season tickets, and rules of the +fishing, may be obtained at the Inn at Llanwrist.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE RIVER DOVEY.</h2> + + +<p>The Dovey is a nice stream, but runs off +very soon, like all others descending from the +mountains. The salmon would be, nevertheless,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +very plentiful in it, as there are many +capital large pools for them to haunt, if they +were allowed to reach them. It is so very +much netted at its mouth that it cannot be +possible for fly fishing to be good. The neighbourhood +of Machynlleth is the best place to +fly fish it. In the spring and autumn the +salmon flies in the plates will be found admirable +for it, made on CC hooks, and C for low +water. The furnace and black-red hackles are +excellent local flies, made on C hooks, for +summer. Sewen take small duns, and the +Cochybonddu.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>RIVER TIVEY.</h2> + + +<p>The Tivey is considered the very best and +most prolific river in all Wales. It has a long +and winding course to Cardigan, and before it +reaches this place, at Newcastle Emlyn, it is a +picture of a river for salmon fishing. Lampeter, +higher up, is a very good station, near to which +place are the "Tivey Pools," where the fish lie +in low water. My list of both salmon and trout +flies would be excellent for the Tivey, dressed +on small hooks.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE WYE, MONMOUTH.</h2> + + +<p>The Wye, at the town of Monmouth, and +up towards Leominster, is an excellent river +for salmon; and the Usk, in the same quarter, +is also good for salmon and fine trout. The +latter river is a very short way from the Wye, +and may be conveniently reached from Monmouth +to Abergavenny, close to which town it +passes, and enters the mouth of the Severn at +Newport; the Wye falls into it higher up, at +Chepstow. The painted flies in the plates will be +just the sort for the Wye made smaller, and will +suit the Usk admirably, dressed smaller still.</p> + +<p>There is a local fly or two which I will give, +viz.—Body yellow mohair bordering on orange, +a red ginger cock's hackle long in the fibre +rolled over it, ribbed with plate gold, a red tail, +and light brown turkey tail feather with white +tips for the wings. Hook No. 9.</p> + +<p>Another fly with the same body, and wings +of the bittern's neck, two feathers should be +tied in, and the whole to stand well up.</p> + +<p>Another fly, with brown body, brown hackle, +brown wings, and tail, ribbed with gold. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +Dun Palmer, in the Plate No. 7, and the Dun +Salmon fly, No. 6, made on smaller size hooks, +will be found excellent ones. Nos. 4, 5, and 10, +are also good, the latter for high water. Never +were there better flies seen for the Welsh rivers +in general than these, made to suit the state of +the water.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE RIVER SEVERN.</h2> + + +<p>The river Severn has its source in Montgomeryshire, +takes a long course, passing the +towns of Welshpool and Shrewsbury. It is a +fine stream, and there could be no better one +were it well preserved. There is excellent +greyling fishing below Shrewsbury, but little or +no salmon fishing. "Mr. Taylor," in his Book +on Angling, who was a native of this place, says, +"that he hooked and killed a greyling in the +Severn, below Shrewsbury, five pounds weight."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The River Thame</span> rises in Wales, near +Bishop's Castle, and joins the Severn below +Worcester. It produces excellent fish, particularly +trout and greyling. Begin to fish at +Ludlow, and move down the stream. The flies +in my list are good for it.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE TRENT</h2> + + +<p>is a good river for greyling fishing, near the +town of Newark, on the Nottingham and Lincoln +Railroad. The flies to suit it are small +blue duns, cochybonddus, small black hackles, +orange duns, red hackles without wings, wren +hackles, small grouse hackles, ash duns, willow +flies, blue blows, &c.</p> + +<p>The well known Lakes and Rivers of Cumberland +are excellent for fly fishing, particularly +Ulswater for trout, and the beautiful Lake +Windermere for a fish called Char. These +delicious fish take a fly like the sea-trout, +which they resemble in shape, although much +darker in colour. A small fly made on No. 8 +hook, or No. 6, with puce body and hackle, +ribbed with silver, the wings of brown mallard, +and a tail the same feather as the wings; a fly +with an orange body, black hackle, and mallard +wings; another with woodcock wings, orange +body, and furnace red hackle; a fly with a +bronze peacock harl body, rib of gold, black +hackle, and jay wings, varied with light grey +mallard for wings; and my list of trout flies<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +for the season will be found excellent for the +trout in the lakes and rivers.</p> + +<p>Bowness, Patterdale, Poolybridge, and Keswick, +are all nice stations, where men and boats +may be had conveniently.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>RIVERS OF YORK AND DERBY.</h2> + + +<p>The beautiful streams of these counties are +excellent for trout fishing, and the scenery +varied and pleasing throughout. The river +Wharf is a delightful stream in the neighbourhood +of Bolton Abbey, a well known place of +"Hofland." See his painting of it, which +gives a good idea of the magnificent scene. +Harrowgate, and Harewood Bridge, would be +very convenient stations for the fly fisher to +stay at. The greyling are good here, and the +small duns, wren, and grouse hackles, do well; +the Dottrille hackle, and black and red hackle, +with yellow waxed silk bodies, and starling +wing, are good; a small fly with peacock body, +black hackle, and starling wing. No. 13 hook, +or 12. These flies may be seen in my list. +They will also kill well at Driffield.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE HODDER.</h2> + + +<p>Whitewell is a favourite spot for anglers to +meet during the May fly season, it is beautifully +situated for scenery and sport; my list of flies +will be found excellent killers in this stream +for both trout and greyling; there is a comfortable +inn here.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>RIVERS OF DERBY.</h2> + + +<p>Derbyshire is watered by many delightful +streams, which abound with trout and greyling, +the owners of which allow the angler to fish +without the least hesitation on making application +and sending in his card.</p> + +<p>The River Dove, at "Dove Dale," is as charming +a place for a few days fly fishing as any in the +County, and is famed for the pleasing recollections +of the early days of "Walton and Cotton's" +rambles on its banks. There is an inn at the +entrance of the Dale, and Mapleton and Ashbourne +convenient stations. The flies to suit +the Dove are, small duns of various sorts, +greys, and browns, as described in my list for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +the season, there cannot be better flies for it +if made to answer the state of the water.</p> + +<p>The beautiful river Wye, at the town of +"Bakewell," is a capital stream for the fly, and +many a good angler makes his appearance here +in the drake season; the winged larva and +May fly in the engraving would do well on +windy days, when the natural May fly did not +show itself in great numbers; my list for the +season will be found excellent ones for the Wye.</p> + +<p>The Derwent is also another nice fly-fishing +stream for trout and fine greyling; the best +places to proceed to fish would be Baslow and +Rowsley Bridge, my list of flies will suit it +well.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE RIVERS WANDLE AND COLN.</h2> + + +<p>These rivers are convenient to London, and +are famous for fly fishing: they are in general +private property, but the owners are very civil +in granting one or two days' angling on application +and sending your card. There are two +or three places on the Wandle that may be +angled in at will, about the neighbourhood of +Carshalton, and Ackbridge; and on the Coln,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +at Watford and Rickmansworth. The flies +to suit the Wandle are generally well known, +which are—the Carshalton cocktail, dark hare's +ear, blue and pale duns, little peacock fly, +furnace fly, small soldier fly, and little black +red palmers, the little brown midge and the +March brown made very small, small black +gnat, and red ant, these flies may be seen in +my list for the season, they cannot fail to afford +diversion.</p> + +<p>The flies to suit the river Coln, are—the +brown Caperer, large cinnamon fly, brown-red +palmer, and Orl fly with a dun hackle and +yellow body, the stone fly, March brown, brown +grouse hackle, wren-tail fly, large red ant, black +gnat, and dun drake, a red hackle fly made +full with the red and grey tail feather of the +partridge mixed, bronze peacock harl body. +Hook No. 8.</p> + +<p>The Great Whirling Dun, Red Spinner, the +Coachman, and the Large Governor flies will +be found with those good for the evening, with +a nice ripple on the water.</p> + +<p>The river Itchen, at Itchen Abbas, Hants, is +a very nice stream for fly fishing, and the Avon +at Salisbury Plain, the Kennet, at Hungerford,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +Berks, is also good, and the river Mole at +Leatherhead, Surrey, is a beautiful stream for +fly fishing, in the vicinity of Randal's Park. +It has been preserved in the park for years, +and abounds with large trout.</p> + +<p>Whitchurch and Stockbridge are also good +places for the fly, in Hampshire; and the +famed "Lea" at Ware, the resort of many a +good London angler; the river Stour is another +fine trout stream, it receives the rivers of Wilts +in its course, waters Hampshire, and falls into +the sea at Christchurch. My list of flies will +kill here.</p> + +<p>There are many very beautiful rivers in +Devonshire for trout fishing, which are, the Ex +at Exeter and Tiverton, the Ax at Axminster, +and the Tamar which separates Cornwall and +Devon, a very considerable river, in which +there are salmon and fine white trout in the +spring of the year, March and April. Launceston +would be the most convenient station +for the tourist angler to fish this fine river.</p> + +<p>The salmon in it take small flies, with claret +and dark brown bodies, ribbed with gold, mallard +wings mixed with a little tipped feather, +and tails of the same; at high water they rise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +and take more gaudily dressed ones, made on +B and BB hooks.</p> + +<p>I sent the colours to a gentleman to suit this +river some time ago, who told me it would be +an excellent one for salmon, were it well taken +care of. He made his own flies.</p> + +<p>I have also sent fishing colours, hackles, and +flies, to suit every river, or nearly so, in Great +Britain, to gentlemen residing on their banks, +which has been a great advantage to me in +obtaining the knowledge of the local flies, but +in general my flies have succeeded best in the +hands of those Fly fishers who have made it +their study and practice.</p> + +<p>It will be seen that I have not withheld the +local flies for each river from accompanying +my own, and those great anglers who visit +Norway will find the Salmon flies in the plates +most killing, and it will be a great advantage +to them to have this book in their possession, +to give them a knowledge of fishing colours, +and the various modes of dressing both salmon +and trout flies, the delineation of which they +will see I have given to a nicety, having studied +from my youth, and learned from my own +observation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> + +<p>I have been all my life too fond of fishing, +which has been sometimes to my disadvantage, +but I loved the scenes of woods, green hills, +of singing birds, meadows, and fresh air, +rushing rivers, and above all, to look at the +beautiful fish jumping to catch the fly on the +surface of the water.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 379px;"><a name="Plate_20" id="Plate_20"></a> +<a href="images/i_274-big.png"><img src="images/i_274.png" width="379" height="600" alt="Plate of Minnow tackle, &c." title="" /></a> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>BAIT FISHING.</h2> + +<h2>THE RIVER THAMES.</h2> + + +<p>After jumping over old "tower'd" Thames +on our way to the south, we now return to him +to wind up this little chapter on rivers; there +cannot be a better river for the purposes of +trolling, spinning, or bait fishing in general, +than the Thames, there is not a town on +its banks from Richmond to Oxford, that does +not afford capital angling with the bait, and in +many places large trout may be caught with +the fly in the evening, these large trout are +very delicious and grow fat on the quantities of +minnows and gudgeons which they prey upon, +and of which there are an inexhaustible supply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +I have taken a few of them with large size +blood red flies, brown flies, and large palmers +of the like colours. The flies Nos. 4, 5, and 7, +in the plates, are just the sort made a size or +two smaller; Hampton Court, Sunbury, Weybridge, +and Pentonhook, are likely places to +rise a fish about seven in the evening, and +early in the morning from six to eight. A +light general rod with spare tops for fly +fishing, about sixteen or seventeen feet long, +with reel, and line of sixty yards, would be +about the sort I would recommend, made of +good hickory, or split cane; this sort of rod +would suit any purpose, either for trolling, +spinning, or for barbel fishing with the lob +worm, &c.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stoddart in his "Work on Angling" +speaks very highly of worm and bait fishing in +general.</p> + +<p>And "Mr. Salter's Book," is a very good authority +for trolling and spinning. The greater part +of the fishermen and punt men on the Thames +are capital hands at using the trolling and +spinning tackle, so that the young angler who +desires to become expert at this sort of fishing, +can easily gain instruction from these civil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +men; they are also good barbel and trout +fishers with the lob worm.</p> + +<p>There are many good trout caught by +spinning, and when bait fishing with the lob +worm for barbel in places where they would +rise and take the fly were they let alone, this is +the cause of their being so scarce, as trout +from half-a-pound and upwards will take the +worm.</p> + +<p>The Thames produces many kinds of fish—trout, +perch, barbel, pike, roach, dace, carp, +chub, gudgeons, minnows, eels, &c. As all +these fish take the bait in general, I will here +give the proper sorts for each, with the tackle +to suit the purpose, and will show the angler +which to use to his best advantage in every +river he fishes in.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PERCH.</h2> + + +<p>The Perch is a very handsome fish, and is +best taken with the worm or live minnow, the +larger size ones take the latter bait well and the +smaller ones take the brandling and red worms +best, using a No. 7 or 8 hook, and put on two +worms at a time; use a small cork float, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +as many shot on the line as will keep the bait +steady about a foot from the bottom; use fine +tackle in clear deep water, and keep as much +out of their view as possible; the Paternoster +is an excellent tackle for taking them, baited +with live minnows in rapid waters near the +sides of weirs, roving with a small live minnow, +having a shot on the line of fine gut to +keep it in mid water. If you know there are +pike in the place, use fine gymp instead of gut, +as these fish are taken in the same manner.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>BARBEL.</h2> + + +<p>The Barbel are strong fish, and require +strong tackle to catch them, a No. 4 or 5 hook +tied on stout single gut, and have a small +bullet with a hole through it on your line, and +a shot about a foot from the hook to be +stationary, to prevent the bullet from running +down on the bait; when you have a bite he +draws the line through the bullet gently at first +let him do so for a little, and then strike not +too hard. The best bait for him is the lob +worm well scoured.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;"><a name="Plate_21" id="Plate_21"></a> +<a href="images/i_281-big.png"><img src="images/i_281.png" width="550" height="378" alt="Plate of Pike tackle, &c." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>I consider this a famous plan for catching +salmon, when they will not rise at the fly, in +deep running streams. If you can find out +where there is one lying drop it into the water +above him and let it fall towards his nose, and +he will be almost sure to take it. In low +water you can throw the lob worm, if well +scoured, on a gut casting line, like the fly, on +a No. 6 hook; moving up the river, throwing +it in before you, and allowing it to fall gently +with the current till you feel a bite, raising +your hand after allowing time, the same as if it +had taken the fly; you may wade up the river +at convenient places with your boots, try +Cording's waterproofs, in the Strand.</p> + +<p>There is good trout fishing after rains, with +the running line, with shot attached; use gut +hooks No. 7 or 8, and let the bait run with the +stream gently, keeping the line taut, and when +it stops rise your hand a little to free it, +allowing it to move on again, and when you +feel a bite wait a little till he takes it, and then +strike gently, if a small fish pull him out, if a +large one play him. The best places to throw +in are at the sides of streams, in the smooth +parts, in eddies, and where the current of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +pool is breaking off at the foot into another +stream, and when the flood is subsiding after +rain, are the best times, using brandling worms +and small lob worms. This was my favourite +way of catching trout when a boy.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PIKE.</h2> + + +<p>The Pike is a rough customer (if large) to +come across, and the tackle which is required +to catch him is as rough and as terrible as himself; +he will take almost anything that is +thrown to him if moved in the water he haunts. +Roving with the minnow using a float, is, I +think, the nicest way of fishing for him in deep +places, but he is oftener taken by spinning, or +trolling the gorge bait, tackle which is well +known to every angler.</p> + +<p>The pike take the larger double hook gaudy +fly, in deep running places, beyond the weeds, +when there is a stiff breeze blowing and small +close rain falling, and at no other time will he +look at a fly; it is useless to try unless in a +rapid stream, which is an unusual place for +him to haunt in general. Autumn is the best<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +time for these fish. When you prepare the +trolling bait for jack or pike, have a needle +to draw the gymp through the bait, say a +minnow, gudgeon, or dace, putting it in at +the mouth of the fish and out near the root +of the tail; sew up the mouth of the bait, +and tie the tail part to the end of the hooks, +which has been often explained before. Throw +it in sideways into deep places, letting it +sink a foot or two, and draw it in pretty +quick towards you, and when the fish makes +a run to take it, give him a little time; +when your line begins to shiver and shake +and he moves off, raise your hand and anchor +the hook in him; if he is a small one whip +him out of the water with your stiff and +patent line at your feet, if a large one play +him as you would a salmon, keep his head well +up and draw him through the weeds if any +and gaff him quickly.</p> + +<p>The best rods to use for trolling are made +of the toughest hickory, as the cane often gives +way with a large fish; upright rings, and prepared +silk and hair line, with reel to suit the +rod, forty yards, if the place you angle in is not +very broad, will be sufficient; and when fishing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +in a boat with a salmon rod, if there is a +chance of pike fishing in lakes when the +salmon will not take the fly, using the short +top would be found stiff enough, that is, when +you have not a trolling rod with you in the +boat.</p> + +<p>The large flexible minnow would be a capital +bait for jack in lakes or deep rivers; and the +glass minnow is also good. These fish rush at +very bright imitations of the natural fish bait +best, and a good size white trout would be a +valuable little fish to throw for him—a large +size dace is also good. These baits could be +preserved in whiskey for weeks. They preserve +fry and sprats in Scotland in this way for +salmon or pike fishing. The old fishermen in +the north say that "sprats" are the fry of the +herring. I am persuaded that they would be +excellent bait for salmon, preserved so as to +keep their brilliancy. The Paternoster Tackle +cannot fail to suit the purpose of those who +prefer angling in a punt for jack at the sides of +large streams near the bank where there are +alders or willows growing, overhanging the +water, with a gravelly bottom. Nice plump +bright minnows are the best, or large size<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +gudgeons; the hooks No. 4 or 5, mounted on +gymp.</p> + +<p><i>Note.</i>—The best trolling rods, spinning, and +bait rods, with trolling tackle of the strongest +sort; minnow tackle, gut hooks, gymp hooks, +treble and double hooks, gorge and snap hooks, +and every sort of the best hooks and tackle to +suit trolling, spinning, and bait fishing, to be +had at my shop, 54, Dean Street, Soho, London. +Try my spinning trace, half twisted and half +single salmon gut, mounted with swivels and +large shot, for large trout or salmon.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>ROACH.</h2> + + +<p>The Roach is a handsome fish, and when +taken of the size of half a pound or a pound, +are not such bad eating as is said of them. +They are very bony, it is true, but particularly +wholesome. These fish do not thrive so well +in ponds where they are exceedingly numerous, +but in deep running rivers, with sandy and +gravelly bottoms. They excel in both flavour +and size. Let the place to angle for them be +about four or five feet deep, plumb the depth,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +and allow your bait to be very near the bottom. +The baits are paste, or gentles. When you +begin, throw into the place you angle in some +ground bait, to bring them together; keep your +eye to the float, which should be a quill one, +and the gut line with as many shot attached to +it as will carry the float about a quarter the +length of it out of the water, and strike smartly, +but gently when you see it move downwards. +They bite best in mild dark days. Work the +paste between the hands (bread without wet), +and when rather tough, mix a little vermilion +with it, they like this best. Let the shot be +about half a foot or so from the hook, which +should be a No. 10 or 12, and where there are +large ones, No. 8, tied on gut. When I was a +little boy this sort of angling used to be my +favourite amusement, with the running bait for +trout after a flood.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> + +<h2>DACE.</h2> + + +<p>The Dace is a lively brisk little fish, and +affords much amusement in catching him, particularly +with very small flies, which he will +rise at from May to October. They like the +rapid streams, along the sides of them, and in +the middle, they may be seen in shoals. The +vicinity of Richmond is a very good place to +go for a day's Dace fishing with the fly. They +haunt the same places as the Roach, are taken +with the same baits, and angled for near the +bottom. Hooks No. 12 or 13.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CARP.</h2> + + +<p>It is a very difficult matter to catch Carp +with the bait, as they are most cunning fish to +detect at once the deception, and swim away +on the least sight of the rod or the shadow of +the fisherman. The Carp haunt the deep parts +of gently running streams, and those caught +in rivers are the best; those that are very numerous +in ponds are lean and soft in the flesh,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +and rather insipid. The best plan to angle for +them would be with a very fine gut line, a +No. 9 hook, baited with a couple of small red +worms or two gentles, thrown into the water +where they are, very cautiously, and keep well +out of sight. Let the bait sink a short way +from the surface, and draw it gently towards +you, using at the same time a very long rod, +rather stiff. Strike immediately they take the +bait, gently, and play them as you would a +trout on the fly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHUB.</h2> + + +<p>The Chub is rather a handsome fish when +in season, and those caught with the artificial +fly in many parts of the Thames, are very +brilliant and pretty to look at; but, unfortunately, +they are full of very small bones, +when cooked the roe is wholesome.</p> + +<p>They haunt the deepest pools and rivers +under shaded banks overhung with trees, the +sides of weirs, and in ponds where a small +spring runs in and out of them, with rather a +rocky or gravelly bottom. Autumn is the best +season for them, although I have caught them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +with the fly in the Thames in summer in good +perfection, when fishing for trout. The way +to angle for them would be to use a quill float, +with a No. 8 hook, or larger, a gut line, and +some shot about ten inches from the bait to +sink the float, bait the hook with bread paste +made red, and made tough in clean hands, put +on a piece of it the size of a nut, throw in +gently, and keep out of sight. Good cheese, +well worked to make it tough, is also good. +They will take gentles turned inside out on +the hook one over the other, and when you +have a bite strike rather quickly. They will +also take grasshoppers, blue bottles, cadbait, +and cockchafers; and with red or yellow flies, +and black and brown palmers in the ordinary +way of fishing for trout.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>GUDGEONS AND MINNOWS.</h2> + + +<p>These are very beautiful little fish, and most +wholesome food; they are the best bait for +perch, jack, and large trout, that can be, as I +mentioned before. The way to angle for them +is to have a couple of very small hooks tied on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +hair or fine gut, with a shot or two to carry the +float off the bottom, say a small quill float, bait +your hook with a very small red worm, or a +piece of a brandling worm; they may be seen +very numerous in the Thames, along the sides +of streams, and in smooth running water with +gravelly bottom; they afford nice amusement +to the young angler, and when taken out of the +water are remarkably handsome to look at.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>BAITS.</h2> + + +<p>To scour worms:—put them in clean damp +moss, changing it in two or three days, place +them between two layers of it, and choose those +that are free from knots. The lob worms are +found in gardens; brandlings and red worms +are scoured with the lob worm in the same pot +covered at top; those found in old tan yards +are the best, and may be used without scouring. +When you use the worms, dip them in cream, +which will refresh their colour.</p> + +<p>The cadis worm or cad bait is excellent for +trout fishing, placed on the hook double, and +cast gently with the wind into the stream, or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +dropped into the water beneath bushes that +grow on the banks of pools where large fish +lie, and are the most likely places. In rivers +clearing off after floods in the summer they +do well, and are also good for perch in deep +running water. These cad worms produce +many of the flies for the season after remaining +during the cold weather at the bottom +rolling about, and when the spring and summer +appear they change into these beautiful +insects; before the change takes place, during +the winter, they form themselves a cover to +protect them from the inroads of their enemies. +Their instinct<a name="FNanchor_H_8" id="FNanchor_H_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_H_8" class="fnanchor">[H]</a> prompts them to incase themselves +like a snail in a piece of hollow reed, +open at each end, and covered with small gravel +and little shells, which they attach with a kind +of glutinous substance to resist the force of +the water; they creep on the bottom with six +legs, and having their little house on their +backs draw into it at pleasure, and settle +amongst the stones like a piece of rotten +branch or stick. The Trout and other fish +feed upon them in the winter, when the winged +insects are nowhere to be seen.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"><a name="Plate_22" id="Plate_22"></a> +<a href="images/i_292-big.png"><img src="images/i_292.png" width="350" height="600" alt="Paternoster and Barbel tackle" title="" /></a> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p> + +<p>Showery windy days are generally best for +fly fishing, blowing from the south, south-west, +west, and north; there are but few fish take in +east winds. When the wind blows warm in +the beginning of the season it is good for bait +fishing, and in autumn mild days are best. In +days when there is no likelihood of constant +rain after clear nights, and a nice grey cloud +covers the sky, with a good cool breeze blowing +to ripple the water, this is the time to rise the +large trout, and which afford the best sport.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"Full nature swarms with one wondrous mass<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Of animals, or atoms organized,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Waiting the vital breath, when parent heaven</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shall bid His spirit blow."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 15.5em;"><span class="smcap">Thomson.</span></span><br /> +<br /><br /></div> +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_H_8" id="Footnote_H_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_H_8"><span class="label">[H]</span></a> Given them by the Great Author of nature.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE ART OF + +DYEING FISHING COLOURS,</h2> + +<div class='center'><span class='small'>WHICH ARE</span><br /> + +PIG'S HAIR, MOHAIR, FUR, & HACKLES,<br /> +COMMONLY CALLED DUBBING.</div> + + +<p>The great advantage the fly fisher must derive +from a knowledge of dyeing his colours +and hackles is obvious. It affords amusement +to the enthusiastic fisher to be acquainted with +the various shades required for making his flies +to suit the rivers, and the flies become valuable +when made of good colours and hackles. +Every hackle and colour that is used for +making a salmon fly must be of the richest +dye imaginable, that they may show brilliant +and good to the fish's eye at the bottom of +the water, and entice them to rise and take it +at the top. The hackles must be taken from +old cocks, both the neck and saddle ones, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +they hold the dye best. Wool is not good for +the fly, as it soaks the water, and is dull and +heavy. Pig hair, that next the skin, with the +stiff and coarse bristles picked and cleared +away, and mohair, which is Spanish goat hair, +a most beautiful brilliant substance for fly +making when dyed well; white seal's fur, and +furs of different kinds of a white colour. White +hackles are best for yellows, oranges, gold +colours, blues, greens, &c.; red hackles do best +to dye claret, red, or fiery browns, olives, and +cinnamon browns, &c., and black hackles for +sooty olives, and tawny colours. When the +angler sees a white old cock he should buy +him to procure his hackles, or a black cock, a +grey cock, and old red cocks of every hue, all +of which are good for dyeing. These also +must be washed in soap and hot water before +being dyed, and the flue stripped off, tied in +bunches (see the bunch of white hackles in the +Plate of Feathers, ready for the dye) of proper +sizes, and when about to be put into the dye-pot, +wet them and the hair in hot water.</p> + +<p>Provide a small crucible or earthen pot, +glazed inside, with an earthen handle, to hold +a quart of soft water, and before you put in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +your hackles or hair, wash them well, as I +said before, in soap and hot water. The five +principal colours to work upon are blue, red, +yellow, brown, and black. From the combination +of two or more of these may be produced +every shade required, from the lightest to the +darkest, so that it only requires some practice, +to know the different ingredients to use, to +become a Dyer of Fishing Colours.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE YELLOW.</h2> + + +<p>I will begin with yellow, the most useful +colour in general for the gentle craft. Put +your crucible on a slow fire nearly full of water, +or say half full, for the first trial. Take a +tea cup, and into it put a table-spoonful +of the best turmeric, pour over it some warm +water, and stir it well with a clean piece of fire +wood; when the water begins to simmer in +the pot, put in the ingredient out of the cup, +and stir it well with a piece of stick; have a +second crucible, about half full of soft water, +and boil it, into this put two table-spoonfuls +of ground alum and one tea-spoonful of crystal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +of tartar, while these are boiling and perfectly +dissolved, put into it your hackles or hair, +and boil gently for an hour or half an hour; +take off your pots and enter the hackles into +the yellow dye out of the liquor into which +you put the alum and tartar, and boil them +very slowly for an hour, taking them out at +intervals to see the shade you require; if too +pale you must put more turmeric in, and if too +heavy in shade the next trial, put in less, and +do the same with all colours till you please +your own eye. When they are the proper +colour, take them out and wash them in soap +and hot water. Draw them evenly through +your fingers in the bunch, and let them dry, as +this keeps them in shape.</p> + +<p>There are three or four ways to dye yellow by +changing the stuff. Fill your pots nearly full +of soft water, and put into one the tartar and +alum, and into the other two or three handfuls +of yellow wood, which must be boiled slowly +for three or four hours; when it is well boiled, +strain off the liquor from the wood into a basin, +and throw the wood away; put the dyeing +liquor into the pot again, and when boiling +take out the hackles from the mordant of tartar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +and alum and put them into the yellow dye, +let them boil gently for some time till the +yellow colour has entered the hackles or hair, +then take them out and wash them in soap +and water, straighten them between the fingers, +and let them dry; take them in the right hand +and strike them on the fore-finger of the left +till they are quite dry.</p> + +<p>By boiling two handfuls of fustic and a table-spoonful +of turmeric together, and repeating +the above process, there will be produced a +golden yellow, which is very good for fly +making. There must not be too much alum +used, neither must the ingredients be boiled +too long. Persian berries, bruised and boiled +slowly, with a spoonful of turmeric, produces +a good yellow; and an ingredient called weld, +boiled as before, and adding the alum, is a +good dye for yellow,—indeed, the weld is the +best dye, if care is taken with it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE BROWN.</h2> + + +<p>Put into your dye pot about two handfuls of +walnut rinds, or as much as it will hold nicely +to boil; simmer this slowly over the fire for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +three or four hours, and add a little water to it +as it boils away. When all the juice of the +dye is taken out of the rinds, strain the liquor +off, put it into the basin, and throw away the +rinds; you take two handfuls more and boil +them in the same way, and add the stuff +together in the pot; the rinds being thrown +away, put your hackles, &c., previously washed, +into the dye, and simmer them on the fire for +four or five hours, till you have the proper +colour struck on the hackles. The alum and +tartar need not be added to this dye.</p> + +<p>Take out the feathers and wash them well; +the walnut roots cut small, dye in the same way.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE A YELLOW BROWN.</h2> + + +<p>The Saunders' Wood, brought from the +Indies, and sold in powder or ground mixed +with sumach is good, it takes long to boil, +adding the alum.</p> + +<p>A Cinnamon Brown or Fiery Brown may be +struck on the hackles or colours (pig hair or +mohair) by first dyeing them yellow, the same +as explained in the yellow dye; put the hackles,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +previously dyed yellow, into the liquor of walnut +rinds, and simmer them over the fire slowly +for three or four hours, and leave them in all +night, if a dark fiery brown is required; the +less of the rinds produce cinnamon or yellow +brown, the roots and rinds of the walnut are +the best for the various shades; the rind of the +alder dyed with alum and tartar is also good.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE BLUE.</h2> + + +<p>Fill your crucible three parts full of soft +water, and put it on a slow fire, at the same +time put in your blue ingredients, previously +prepared, (this is done by dissolving the +powdered blue in oil of vitriol and water in +a stopper bottle for twenty-four hours). If +there is a very light shade of blue required, +put in a couple of table-spoonfuls of the +blue ingredient, and add to it as the shade +may be varied at will according to the quantity +of the stuff; boil the hackles in tartar and +alum, say a table-spoonful of each, or rather +less of the tartar, simmer it on the fire for +two or three hours according to the process +mentioned before; and when the proper colour<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +is produced take out the hackles, hair, or fur, +and wash them well in soap and hot water.</p> + +<p>There is a paste blue prepared at the dry-salters +all ready for the dye pot, take a table-spoonful +of it and stir it well up in your pot +nearly full of soft water, and boil it gently for +about an hour (or less), then put in your hackles +or hair, previously washed and wet going in, +boil for two hours very slowly and wash off the +dye; any shade of blue may be had in a very +short time by this process; there are two or +three dry-salters in Long Acre where this paste +blue is sold, and any of the other ingredients +may be purchased at their shops, or at chymists.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE RED.</h2> + + +<p>Prepare your dye pot by nearly filling it +with soft water; and keep it at a scalding heat +when the dye stuff is put in, as it must not boil, +if it is allowed to boil it becomes dull in colour; +put into the dye pot a handful of finest grape +madder, and simmer it slowly over the fire, stir +well, and prepare the hackles or hair in the +alum and red tartar liquor; after having boiled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +an hour slowly, take out a bunch and look at +them between your eyes and the sun or light +to see how they take the dye, if too pale there +must be more madder added, and allow them +to remain in the dye all night, simmer them +slowly, next day take them out, rinse and wash +them well, and allow them to dry in the air; mix +a table-spoonful of cochineal with the madder.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE ORANGE.</h2> + + +<p>When orange is desired take a handful of +best madder and mix it with a spoonful of +cochineal, boil it for an hour or two, add too a +little ground red wood which requires more +boiling than the madder itself; dye your +hackles or stuff yellow first, and dip them into +the red dye a short time, take them out and +look at the shade you have; if too light allow +them to remain in longer, and you will have +darker shades of colour, put a little red tartar +and ground alum into the dye to assist the red +wood to strike on the materials, take them out +and wash them in soap and hot water, and +afterwards rinse them in urine which gives a +lustre and softness to the stuff.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + +<h2>TO DYE PURPLE OR VIOLET.</h2> + + +<p>First dye the hackles or stuffs blue, and +lay them to dry; then, fill the dye-pot more +than half with soft water, and in the other pot +prepare the tartar and alum, dip your hackles +into this for a little while, and lay them on the +table till you prepare the red dye; bruise a +couple of table-spoonfuls of cochineal, and put +them into the pot of hot soft water, boil for an +hour, and put in the blue hackles, and allow +them to simmer over the fire very slowly to keep +them from burning; when you have the proper +shade, take them out and wash them well.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE CRIMSON.</h2> + + +<p>Boil your hackles or hair in a tea-spoonful of +alum, and nearly as much pure tartar, for an +hour; bruise two table-spoonfuls of cochineal, +and boil them in your clean water; take out +the hackles from the alum-water, and put them +into the cochineal liquor, and boil for two or +three hours slowly or less, according to the +shade you require; then take out the feathers +and wash them well, and you will have the +color desired.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> +<h2>TO DYE SCARLET.</h2> + + +<p>Boil your hackles, &c., in a little crystal of +tartar; procure two table-spoonfuls of cochineal, +bruise them a little, and boil them gently over +the fire for an hour or two; take the hackles +you have just boiled in the tartar, and put them +into the dye-pot, and simmer them slowly for +some time, say half an hour; then take your +"spirits of grain,"<a name="FNanchor_I_9" id="FNanchor_I_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_I_9" class="fnanchor">[I]</a> and put into the dye-pot a +tea-spoonful or a little more; take them out +occasionally, and look at them between your +eyes and the light, and when the right shade +is obtained, rinse them and dry.</p> + +<p>If you are in a hurry for scarlet, you may +drop the particles of block-tin into aqua-fortis +till they are dissolved, and add a little to the +scarlet dye; the other is best, as it gives a more +brilliant shade;—boil slow.</p> + +<p>If the extract of bismuth is added to the +red liquor of the cochineal in a small quantity, +it will change it to a purple or violet colour.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_I_9" id="Footnote_I_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_I_9"><span class="label">[I]</span></a> Spirits of grain for scarlet,—a quarter pint of spirits +of nitre, a quarter of an ounce of ammoniac, add half +water in a bottle, and drop into it half an ounce of +block-tin in grains till dissolved.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CRIMSON RED IN GRAIN.</h2> + + +<p>Boil your hackles or hair in a quarter of an +ounce of alum, and the same quantity of pure +tartar, an hour gently; wash them out of this, +fill your dye-pot with clean water, or as much +as will conveniently boil; put in an ounce of +well-powdered dye stuff they call "grain," with +one drachm of red arsenic, and one spoonful +of burnt wine lees, this gives a lustre; wash +and rinse well after boiling a short time, and +the colour is good.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE GREEN DRAKE, FEATHERS<br /> +AND FUR.</h2> + + +<p>Boil your hackles, mohair, or fur, in alum +and tartar, a quarter of an ounce of each; rinse +them well, and put them into the dye-pot, with +an ounce of savory, and as much green-wood +as the pot will contain; (it is best to boil off +the savory and green-wood first, throw away the +wood, and boil the feathers in the liquor;) boil +gently, and look at the feathers occasionally to +see if they are the right shade, these give the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +natural shades of yellow green. The quantity +of tartar and alum, and of dye-stuff is given in +this dye; and the preceding which will show +what must be used in all shades of colour, +according to the quality or your own taste.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE CLARET.</h2> + + +<p>Boil two handfuls of red-wood, or ground +Brazil-wood, for an hour, with a handful of +log-wood; then take a table-spoonful of oil of +vitriol, and put it into half a tea cup of cold +water; and when the dye-pot is a little cold, +add it to the liquor, stir it, and put it on with +the hackles or hair, and boil it gently for two +hours; take out your material, and put it into +cold water; add to the dye it comes out of a +little copperas, and a small quantity of pearlashes, +about the size of a nut of copperas, and +a quarter that size of the ashes; put in your +hackles or material again, and when the +proper shade is obtained, rinse and wash well, +and finish in urine, which brightens them, and +your colour is good.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> + +<h2>ANOTHER WAY TO DYE CLARET.</h2> + + +<p>Take a handful of nut galls and bruise them, +put them into the crucible and boil them half +an hour, add to the dye a table-spoonful of oil +of vitriol in half a cup of water, put in the +hackles and boil two hours; then add to the +liquor a little pearl ashes, and a piece of +copperas the size of a nut, boil gently for two +hours or as long as required to suit the taste +of the dyer, rinse and wash them well, the +ashes need not be used in this dye, but if +used a very small quantity will suffice.</p> + +<p>Another way:—boil red wood powdered for +two hours (two handfuls), and then put the +hackles in, boil an hour longer, let the liquor +cool, and put into a tea cup half full of water +nearly a table-spoonful of aqua-fortis and pour +it into the dye, stir well occasionally and keep +the hackles down, boil for two hours more and +rinse off, finish in a little urine. If a very +dark claret is required lay them in to boil for a +day and night with a scalding heat.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + +<h2>TO DYE BLACK.</h2> + + +<p>Boil two good handfuls of log-wood with a +little sumach and elder bark for an hour, put in +the stuff or hackles (boil very gently), bruise a +piece of copperas about the size of two Spanish +nuts, put it in with a little argil and soda; +take out the hackles and hold them in the +open air a little, then put them in again and +leave them all night gently heated, wash the +dye well out of them and your black will be +fine. The argil and soda soften the dye stuff +of the copperas, but a small quantity must be +put in.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE GREENS OF VARIOUS<br /> +SHADES.</h2> + + +<p>The greatest nicety of all is in finding the +exact quantity of ingredients to put in, so as +to prevent the dye stuff from injuring the +fibres of the hackles, &c.; for the light shades +add the smallest quantity, and augment +it by degrees. Dye the hackles a very light<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +shade of blue first, in prepared indigo,<a name="FNanchor_J_10" id="FNanchor_J_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_J_10" class="fnanchor">[J]</a> as I +said before, take a spoonful and put it into the +dye pot and boil it softly for half an hour. +Add a very small quantity of alum and tartar +to the dye, put in your hackles, and boil for a +short time; add to the dye a table-spoonful of +the best turmeric, savoy, or green wood, a little +of each would do best, boil slowly for an hour, +take out the hackles, rinse them, and you will +have a green: you may have any shade of +green by dyeing the blues darker or lighter, +and putting in more yellowing stuff and less +blue when light yellow greens are required, boil +gently, and look at the hackles often to see that +they have taken the shade you want.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE LAVENDER OR SLATE DUN,<br /> +&c. &c.</h2> + + +<p>Boil ground logwood with bruised nut galls +and a small quantity of copperas, according to +judgment: you may have a pigeon dun, lead +colour, light, or dark dun. The ingredients<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +must be used in small quantities, according to +taste. You may have raven grey, or duns of +various shades, by boiling with the logwood a +small quantity of alum and copperas.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_J_10" id="Footnote_J_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_J_10"><span class="label">[J]</span></a> Half a tea cupful of water, and the same quantity +of oil of vitriol, put into a bottle, the indigo to remain +in twenty-four hours to dissolve.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>BLUES.</h2> + + +<p>Dissolve some indigo in oil of vitriol for +twenty-four hours, put a couple of spoonfuls +in your pot, add a little crystal of tartar, put +in your hackles and boil, or at least keep them +at a scalding heat, or the vitriol will burn the +feathers, furs, &c., take them out, rinse them +well, and the colour will be lasting.</p> + +<p>If to the above liquor some fustic chips, well +boiled by themselves, and the juice added, you +may then have any shade of the best green.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>A SILVER GREY.</h2> + + +<p>Boil some fenugreek and a little alum half an +hour, put in the white hackles, &c., and add +a little pearlash and Brazil-wood, boil them +gently an hour, rinse them, and your colour +will be lasting.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p> + +<h2>A COFFEE OR CHESNUT.</h2> + + +<p>Boil the hackles, &c., that have been previously +dyed brown, in some nut gall, sumach, +and alder bark, then add a small quantity of +green copperas to the liquor, allow it to remain +a day and a night in water that you can bear +the hand in, and all the stuff will enter the +materials.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO DYE OLIVES AND A MIXTURE<br /> +OF COLOURS.</h2> + + +<p>Olives are dyed from blue, red, and brown, +of every shade, according to fancy.</p> + +<p>From yellow, blue, and brown, are made +olives of all kinds.</p> + +<p>From brown, blue, and black, brown and +green olives are made.</p> + +<p>From red, yellow, and brown, are produced +orange, gold colour, marigold, cinnamon, &c.</p> + +<p>See Haigh's Dyer's Assistant of Woollen +Goods, for larger quantities.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> + +<h2>A CONCISE WAY OF DYEING<br /> +COLOURS.</h2> + + +<p>I will now add the way to dye the colours, +for pighair, mohair, hackles, &c., in a concise +and summary manner, to avoid giving trouble +in too many words, and the quantities of ingredients +I have given before, which would be +superfluous to mention over so often, and which +the dyer must know by this time. The great +art is in knowing the quantities that each dye +requires to obtain the exact colour, and this +may be known by a close observation to the +rules I have given.</p> + +<p>Fustic and alum water will dye yellow, the +hackles dipped three times in fresh stuff. +Weld, turmeric, and fenugreek, will give a +yellow, boiled in alum water, and the hackles +dipped often, till they are the proper colour.</p> + +<p>These may be dyed without tartar at pleasure.</p> + +<p>Brazil-wood, boiled till you have a strong +decoction, strain off the juice, then add alum +water, boil the hackles in it slowly for a day +or two, and it will produce good reds. If the +colour of the Brazil-wood be very strong, there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +may be reds obtained in an hour's boiling. +This is a wood which is of a hard nature, and +it is difficult to extract the colour from it, +although a good dye.</p> + +<p>A claret may be produced from Brazil-wood +mixed with red archil, and boiled in the usual +manner, dipped in potash liquor, or brilla will +act in the same way to strike the colour; use +hard water.</p> + +<p>A fiery brown may be made from fustic and +turmeric boiled together with alum and a little +crystal of tartar, (soft water for this dye), and +then dip in liquor of potash.</p> + +<p>A cinnamon brown may be made with a little +madder, or stone crottle, boiled with alum and +tartar, with a little turmeric to finish it.</p> + +<p>A good blue may be had by boiling the +hackles with alum water, and add a spoonful +of the liquid blue; this is done by putting +some oil of vitriol into a bottle with a little +water, and then the indigo, powdered, which +will dissolve in twenty-four hours, and be ready +for use. (I have mentioned this twice before, +as I am very particular.)</p> + +<p>For a purple, dye blue first, then add the +red dye, and dip it in potash; when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +hackles, &c., are left long in the red, it is more +of a wine purple.</p> + +<p>To have a good green, dye blue first, then +boil in turmeric and fustic bark, with alum +and tartar, as usual. You may have any shade +of green by noticing the process in the dye pot.</p> + +<p>To dye an orange, first make it a turkey red +with Brazil-wood and alum water, then finish +with turmeric and fustic till the colour pleases +you.</p> + +<p>To dye a golden olive, boil sumach and +turmeric with alum water, add a little potash +and copperas, and finish with new turmeric and +a little potash.</p> + +<p>Green olive may be made with a little more +copperas and verdigris.</p> + +<p>Sooty olive is made by adding to the first a +little alder or oak bark, and finishing with +turmeric and alum water.</p> + +<p>An amber may be made with red, and finished +with yellow dye; the first with stone crottle or +madder, and finish with turmeric bark; the +yellow with alum water. All fishing colours +should be dyed yellow first with alum and +crystal of tartar, but claret.</p> + +<p>Claret may be made from Brazil-wood, barked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +first in alum water, adding new Brazil three or +four times fresh to the liquor, and simmer +slowly for a day or two.</p> + +<p>A fiery brown may be made from lima or peth-wood, +barked with turmeric and alum water.</p> + +<p>A golden yellow may be had from citrine +bark, boiled in new stuff three times slowly, +bark with alum, and dip in potash or brilla.</p> + +<p>All blues may be dipped in potash, to sadden +the colour.</p> + +<p>A crottle or red orange, boil madder and +stone crottle together, and bark with alum +water; the madder will do if the crottle cannot +be had. The crottle grows on stones in rocky +places, like red moss.</p> + +<p>An orange may be had by dyeing yellow in +strong liquid three times fresh; bark with +alum, and dip in potash.</p> + +<p>A Green Drake may be made by dyeing a +good yellow first, and adding a few drops of +the blue decoction from the bottle of prepared +blue dye, this comes to the green drake colour; +add a little copperas to make a green dark or +light, as you please.</p> + +<p>A golden olive may be made by dyeing brown +red hackles in fustic and a little copperas, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +dipped in potashes, finished in turmeric and +alum; you will have a sooty olive by adding +but very little of the turmeric root.</p> + +<p>A sooty olive may be made by dyeing black +hackles in yellow first with alum water, add +fresh yellow stuff three times to the dye pot, +and dip them in potashes.</p> + +<p>A wine purple may be made from light dyed +blue hackles, put them in the red dye of +madder, Brazil, or cochineal, and dip them +twice in potashes.</p> + +<p>Liver-coloured hackles may be had from +brown red hackles, barked with alum, and +boiled in Brazil-wood juice, dipped in liquor of +potash.</p> + +<p>A bright olive may be made from fustic and +oak bark, adding a little turmeric and alum +water.</p> + +<p>A fiery cinnamon may be had from yellow +dye, Brazil juice, and madder mixed, boil these +well, and add a little turmeric with alum.</p> + +<p>A golden crottle may be made from stone +crottle and yellow dyes with turmeric and alum +water. The stone crottle is best for all golden +colours, but as it may not be easily got at, use +madder instead; golden orange may be had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +from the above, adding a little potashes, and +boil very slowly.</p> + +<p>A pea green may be had by dyeing yellow +first, and add a few drops out of the blue dye +bottle, till it comes to the shade, it may be +darkened to a leek or bottle green.</p> + +<p>A stone blue,—bark the hackle with alum, +and add to the alum water as much of the prepared +dye out of the bottle as will make it +dark enough, this may be easily seen from the +appearance of the liquor in the dye pot.</p> + +<p>A Prussian blue is done in the same way, keeping +out the indigo, and adding the Prussian blue.</p> + +<p>Dip a red into potashes and you have a light +wine purple; blue and red dye is best.</p> + +<p>Dip a good yellow in potashes, well boiled +and stir, and you will have an orange. A little +tartar is good for all colours but black.</p> + +<p>Sumach, logwood, iron liquor, and copperas, +will form a black. Boil a small quantity of +copperas with logwood, and it will dye gut +properly.</p> + +<p>A tawny cinnamon may be dyed from stone +crottle or madder, mixed with turmeric, alum, +and a little tartar, these must be gently boiled +in fresh stuff, adding a little copperas.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE MATERIALS NECESSARY FOR<br /> +ARTIFICIAL FLY MAKING.</h2> + + +<p>The necessary articles used for fly making +in general are as follows: Those feathers that +are of a most gaudy hue are best for the wings +of salmon flies, which are golden pheasant +feathers, cock of the rock, the crest of the +Hymalaya pheasant, the blue and yellow macaw, +the scarlet macaw, red macaw, green parrot's +feathers, particularly the Amazon parrot +tail, the scarlet Ibis, blue king fishers, and +chattern, the splendid Trogan, the Argus pheasant, +the bustard, red parrot, and the Bird of +Paradise; the wood-duck feathers (try the cock +of the north feathers, black hackle, white body, +and gold); the jungle cock; the spotted turkey, +brown, light, and dark feathers; brown mallard, +or wild drake; teal feathers; heron feather, +black and blue; glede or kite tail feathers; +grey mallard, widgeon, and shovel duck; various +dyed and natural cock hackles; grouse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +hackles; guinea hen hackles, the rump and +back feathers; silver pheasant, cock and hen +bird tail, wings, and body feathers; yellow +toucan feathers; blue jay feathers, and the +wings of the jay for trout flies; peacock feathers, +off wings, tail, and body; black ostrich feathers, +and the white ostrich for dyeing all colours for +the heads of flies, &c., with floss silk of every +shade; gold and silver twist, and plate of +different sizes; pighair, mohair, furs, &c.</p> + +<p>The materials for small trout flies are, mohair, +furs of every colour, water rat, fitch, +squirrel, mole's fur, hare's ears and neck furs, +mouse and common rat fur, martin's fur, sable +fur, black spaniel's hair off the ear, black bear's +hair for tailing the drake, and all white furs +dyed of various shades, such as yellow, yellow-green, +gold, orange, cinnamon, light duns, &c.; +starling wings, grouse feathers, snipe wings, +woodcock wings, thrush and blackbird's wings, +fieldfare wings, wren tails, tomtit tails, bunton +lark wing, skylark wings, sparrow wings, landrail +wings, water-hen wings, water-rail wings, +partridge tails and hackle feathers, brown hen +wings, tail, and body feathers, dun hen wings, +&c.; dun cock hackles, dun hen hackles, dottril<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +wings and hackles, and all dun, brown, and +grey feathers that can be found on every bird +that flies are useful for imitating the natural +insects; tying silks of every shade, yellow and +orange being the favorites; hooks of sizes, and +silk-worm gut.</p> + +<p>And now to wind up the line. I humbly beg +to say that if I have deceived the friends of +the rod in anything, they have a right to be +indifferent with my profession of friendship, +and ought to retain a sensibility of my misfortune; +my conscience is clear it is not so, for +I know that I would deceive myself were I to +think that I could do without my admirable +friends of the angle—without me they could +do—but I value their worth, as in hope I rest, +although they say "hope told a flattering tale." +I am not deceived by flattery, be it far from us; +I dislike deceit. I have hid nothing; I have +done my endeavours in this book to show the +youths of the angle, as well as the great fly +fishers, all I know about the matter so far, and +as the Chinamen say, that "time and industry +convert a mulberry leaf into a silk shawl," +so perseverance will be the means of the fly +maker's success, if he allows himself an opportunity<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +of accomplishing that which he requires +to know and to perform, and at the same time +neglect not to prepare for the "coming struggle," +it will be his own fault if he does not +become a skilful angler, &c. I will therefore +consider myself highly honoured if the young +gentlemen of England, Ireland, Scotland, and +Wales, appreciate my labour, and to be enabled, +by the natural genius they possess, descending +from Him who visited us through the "Orient" +from on high to enlighten our understandings +in every good, to find out the information they +desire in the perusal of these pages.</p> + + +<div class='center'>FINIS.</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> + +<p>Book uses both pearl-ash and pearl ash; salmon-fly and salmon fly. Varied hyphenation was retained. Text also +uses archaic spelling, "scissars".</p> + +<p>Inexplicably, the pagination of this text's front matter runs i-xi, then begins again at +v for the list of plates and reviews. No pages are missing however. This was retained.</p> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blacker's Art of Fly Making, &c., by +William Blacker + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKER'S ART OF FLY MAKING, &C. *** + +***** This file should be named 35752-h.htm or 35752-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/7/5/35752/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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