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diff --git a/39321-h/39321-h.htm b/39321-h/39321-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..891ffe8 --- /dev/null +++ b/39321-h/39321-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3955 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Old Flies in New Dresses, by Charles Edward Walker. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + h1 { text-align:center; line-height:1.5; } + +p.title { text-align:center; text-indent:0; + font-weight:bold; + line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:3em; } + +small { font-size:60%; } + +big { font-size:140%; } + +h2 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} + +blockquote { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 5%; + font-size: 90%;} + +p.quotsig { + margin-left: 35%; + text-indent: -4em; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.caption { + margin-top: 0; + text-align: center; + font-weight: bold; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.contentsblock {margin:auto; width: 30em;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.ralign {position: absolute;right: 11%; top: auto;} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + text-align: center; +} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Old Flies in New Dresses, by Charles Edward Walker + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. 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: Old Flies in New Dresses + How to Dress Dry Flies with the Wings in the Natural + Position and Some New Wet Flies + +Author: Charles Edward Walker + +Release Date: April 1, 2012 [EBook #39321] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD FLIES IN NEW DRESSES *** + + + + +Produced by Pat McCoy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>OLD FLIES IN NEW DRESSES</h1> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg i]</span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="title"><a id="PI" name="PI"></a>PLATE I</p> + +<p class="title">NATURAL FLIES</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 387px;"> +<img src="images/i003.png" width="387" height="650" alt="" title="Plate I." /> +<span class="caption">Swan Electric Engraving C⚬.</span> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg ii]</span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Plate I flies"> +<tr><td align="right">1.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Alder-fly.</span> <i>Sialis lutaria</i>, Linn. (Slightly enlarged.)</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">2.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Caperer.</span> <i>Halesus radiatus</i>, McLach.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">3.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Red Sedge.</span> <i>Anabolia nervosa</i>, Steph. (Slightly enlarged.)</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">4.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Welshman’s Button.</span> <i>Sericostoma collare</i>, Pict.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">5.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cinnamon-fly.</span> <i>Mystacides longicornis</i>, Linn.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">6.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Grannom.</span> <i>Brachycentrus subnubilus</i>, Curt.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">7.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Willow-fly.</span> <i>Leuctra geniculata</i>, Steph.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">8.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Blue-bottle.</span> <i>Calliphora erythrocephala</i>, Mg.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">9.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Green-bottle.</span> <i>Lucilia cæsar</i>, Linn.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">10.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">House-fly.</span> <i>Musca corvina</i>, Fab.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">11.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Oak-fly.</span> <i>Leptis scolopacea</i>, Linn.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">12.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cow-dung-fly.</span> <i>Scatophaga stercoraria</i>, Linn.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">13.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Hawthorn-fly.</span> <i>Bibio marci</i>, Linn.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">14.</td><td align="left"><i>Corixa geoffroyi.</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">15.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Fresh-water Shrimp.</span> <i>Gammarus pulex.</i></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg iii]</span></p> + +<h2> +OLD FLIES<br /> +IN NEW DRESSES</h2> + +<p class="title">HOW TO DRESS DRY FLIES<br /> +WITH THE WINGS IN THE NATURAL POSITION<br /> +AND SOME NEW WET FLIES<br /> +<br /> +BY<br /> +<br /> +<big>CHARLES EDWARD WALKER</big></p> + +<p class="title"><i>ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR AND EDWARD WILSON</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i005.png" width="150" height="149" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="title"><span class="smcap">London:</span> LAWRENCE AND BULLEN, <span class="smcap">Ltd.</span><br /> +16 <span class="smcap">henrietta street, covent garden<br /> +mdcccxcviii</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg iv]</span></p> +<p class="center"> +<span class="smcap">Richard Clay and Sons, Limited,<br /> +london and bungay.</span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg v]</span></p> +<h2>PREFACE</h2> + +<p>In the first part of this little work I do not wish my +reader to suppose that I claim to be the first who has +dealt with any particular imitation in the manner he +will find that I have dealt with it. In the case of +particular flies, others have frequently observed that +the imitations generally used were inaccurate. The +imitation of the Alder-fly has perhaps been most treated +in this way, but it is not alone. One instance, however, +of inaccuracies in imitations of natural flies having +been observed, will I hope not be trespassing too much +upon my reader’s patience.</p> + +<p>Blaine, in his <i>Encyclopædia of Rural Sports</i> published +in 1840, says when speaking of the Cow-dung fly:—“By +some extraordinary mistake Bowlker describes +this fly as having upright wings; and as many of the +London fly-makers dress their flies by his directions, +we need not wonder that they are often bought with +their wings unnaturally glaring outwards.”</p> + +<p>What I have tried to do, is to work out and bring +down to a definite rule the position in which the wings +of the imitations of the various kinds of flies should be +placed.</p> + +<p>My reader therefore must not hope in this first part +to meet with many imitations of creatures that have +not been imitated before; but if he finds that the +manner in which the flies are dealt with as a whole is +any step forward, be it ever so small, I shall be satisfied +in having attained the object at which I aim.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg vi]</span>My reader may be surprised at the order in which +I have arranged the various flies; but it was necessary, +or at any rate very much more convenient, to arrange +them in the way I have, as entomological accuracy of +arrangement in a work on fishing must not be the +first consideration of the author. That the wings of +the Alder and the Caddis flies are in practically the +same position in relation to their bodies, was my reason +for placing the descriptions of these flies next each +other, and this instance is sufficient to suggest to those +of my readers who are entomologists, reasons for the +other cases in which I have not placed the descriptions +of the various flies in their correct sequence.</p> + +<p>A disclaimer must also be my preface to the second +part of my work, for I know that I am far from being +the first in thinking that the wet fly of the fisherman +is not taken by the fish for the natural fly it is supposed +to represent.</p> + +<p>Here my hope is that my reader will find a definite +theory which is sufficiently plausible to interest him, +at least for the moment.</p> + +<p>I have to acknowledge the kind assistance of Dr. G. +A. Buckmaster, Lecturer on Physiology at St. George’s +Hospital, of Mr. Ernest E. Austen, of the British +Museum (Natural History), and of several other +gentlemen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg vii]</span>I must also thank the Editor of <i>Land and Water</i> for +allowing me to republish an article in the first part of +my book, and the Editor of <i>The Field</i> for a similar +permission with regard to certain articles which appear +in the second part.</p> + +<p>Mrs. J. R. Richardson, of Kingston-on-Thames, has +also given me some hints as to improvements in the +dressing of some of the flies described.</p> + +<p class="quotsig"> +<span class="smcap">Charles Walker.</span><br /> +</p> +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg viii]</span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg ix]</span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class="center contentsblock"> +<table border="0" style="width: 100%;" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="contents"> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">PART I</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="3"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><i>DRY FLIES</i></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="3"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER I</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td><td align="right"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Introductory</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER II</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Colour Perception in Fish</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER III</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">How to Dress Flies with the Wings in the Natural Position</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER IV</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Alder-fly</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER V</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Caddis-flies</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER VI</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Perlidæ</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER VII</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Diptera</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><span class="pagenum">[Pg x]</span>CHAPTER VIII</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Winged Ants</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER IX</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Caterpillars</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="3"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">PART II</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="3"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><i>WET FLIES</i></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="3"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER I</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Theory</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER II</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Corixæ</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHAPTER III</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Fresh-water Shrimp</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Larvæ of Water-Insects</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Some Hints on Dry Fly-Fishing</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_115">115</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg xi]</span></p> +<h2>OLD FLIES IN NEW DRESSES</h2> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 1]</span></p> +<h2>PART I</h2> + +<p class="title"><big><i>DRY FLIES</i></big></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 2]</span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER I<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Introductory</span></h2> + +<p>Though it would not be true to say +that hitherto writers on fly-dressing have +shown any lack of power of observation, +still it is unfortunately true that their +energy seems, strangely enough, to have +stopped short at observing the natural +fly, and has not been sufficient to carry +them on to making even passable imitations, +except of Ephemeridæ. With +the exception of this family of flies, no +one could possibly recognise the artificial +through knowing the natural fly which it +is supposed to represent. Yet the fisherman +who knows the natural fly well by +sight will go on using these imitations<span class="pagenum">[Pg 4]</span> +year after year unquestioningly; and +though he himself would certainly not +have known, unless he had been told, +what natural fly the imitation he is using +is meant to represent, he expects the +trout to do so at once.</p> + +<p>There has been much discussion recently +as to whether trout have the power of +discriminating between different colours, +but no one has ever cast a doubt on their +power of discriminating between different +shapes; yet in most of these imitations it +is not the colour that is wrong, but the +shape. The wings of a fly undoubtedly +play a most important part in forming the +outline, and consequently the general appearance +of the fly. Therefore, if they are +not put in the natural position, the whole +contour of the imitation must be entirely +different from that of the natural fly.</p> + +<p>It seems, however, judging by the +standard works on the subject, that there +is practically but one recognised position +for the wings of the artificial fly, as the +difference between the position of divided +wings and wings dressed flat together is, +after all, but slight. No one seems yet<span class="pagenum">[Pg 5]</span> +to have realised the fact that the wings +of a May-fly do not lie in the same relative +position to the body as do those of the +Blue-bottle, whilst in the case of the Alder +there is a further marked distinction from +both.</p> + +<p>The wings, in the different families of +flies upon which trout and grayling feed, +lie when at rest in three distinct positions +in relation to their bodies.</p> + +<p>In the Ephemeridæ they lie in planes +approaching the vertical, slightly diverging +from each other towards their extremities. +<a href="#I21">Fig. 1</a> gives a sketch of one of the Ephemeridæ, +and <a href="#I21">Fig. 2</a> a transverse section +through the line α β of <a href="#I21">Fig. 1</a>. These +drawings show the relation of the wings +to the body. All flies have so far been +treated by writers on fly-dressing as +though their wings were in this position.</p> + +<p>In the Caddis-flies (<i>Trichoptera</i>) and the +Alder-fly (<i>Sialis lutaria</i>) the wings lie on +each side of the body, meeting at their +upper edges in front, gradually diverging +towards their lower edges and posterior +extremities.</p> + +<p><a href="#I21">Fig. 3</a> gives a sketch of an Alder, and<span class="pagenum">[Pg 6]</span> +<a href="#I21">Fig. 4</a> a transverse section through the +fly, showing the position of the wings.</p> + +<p>In the Diptera (Blue-bottle, Cow-dung, +&c.), and Perlidæ (Stone-fly, Yellow Sally, +&c.), the wings lie in a horizontal plane. +In some Diptera the wings diverge from +each other towards their extremities, as in +the Blue-bottle, shown in Figs. <a href="#I21">5 and 6</a>. +In some other Diptera and in the Perlidæ, +the wings lie over each other, as +shown in Figs. <a href="#I21">7 and 8,</a>. It will be seen +that the wings in both these cases lie in +a horizontal plane.</p> + +<p>In <a href="#I21">Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 8</a> β represents the +section of the body, α and γ the section +of the wings.</p> + +<p>I wish it to be thoroughly understood +that these positions are the positions +of the wings of the natural fly <i>when at +rest</i>.</p> + +<p>Many flies when they fall on the water +buzz round in circles periodically, apparently +with the object of disengaging themselves +from the surface. Between these +efforts, however, their wings generally +assume the normal position of rest. The +only way to imitate the fly when it is<span class="pagenum">[Pg 7]</span> +buzzing is by dressing it without wings, +and with extra hackle; and this is, after all, +but a poor imitation. In most cases it is +better to imitate the wings at rest; and +if this is done accurately, it will present +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 8]</span>to the trout an accurate imitation of the +natural fly as it appears to him when not +trying to raise itself from the water.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 650px;"> +<a id="I21" name="I21"></a> +<img src="images/i021.png" width="650" height="631" alt="" title="Sketches and Diagrams" /> +<span class="caption">Sketches and diagrams showing the relative positions of the wings +to the body in the various natural flies. Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 8 +show sections through αβ in Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 7. In Figs. +2, 4, 6 and 8 α = anterior wings; β = body; γ = posterior wings.</span> +</div> + +<p>I have on many occasions watched the +behaviour of an Alder when it has fallen +on the water. At first it moves its wings +rapidly, but soon stops, to begin again, +however, when it has rested. This is +repeated time after time, but after each +succeeding struggle, the interval of rest +becomes longer. In many cases, however, +the fly hardly struggles at all.</p> + +<p>In observing many other flies which had +fallen on the water, I have seen the same +sequence of events occur, though some +flies struggle to raise themselves from the +surface much more than others, as in the +case of the Blue-bottle.</p> + +<p>The first trial that I made of a fly dressed +with the wings in the natural position was +with an Alder. To make this trial complete, +I purchased some Alders, dressed +according to the most approved patterns, +from three well-known firms of tackle +makers. When I got to the water-side +the trout were rising freely, and the banks +were literally swarming with Alders. I saw<span class="pagenum">[Pg 9]</span> +a trout take one which had fallen on the +water, so it was evident that the Alder +was the fly to use. I began with the +flies I had purchased, and cast over a +trout which was rising under a tree. He +would not look at it, and the same happened +with the flies of the other two +makers when I cast over two other +trout. I then tried one of my own, and +got a fish at once. He did not take it in +a half-hearted manner, but was hooked +right in the back of the tongue. I then +tried the other flies again without success. +When, however, I went back to +my own fly I hooked the first fish I cast +over.</p> + +<p>Imitations of other flies made with the +wings in the natural position have served +me as well as did my imitation of the +Alder, though I was not inclined to try +the ordinary patterns so freely on every +occasion as I was at the first trial. I +have, however, several times caught a +rising fish on one of my imitations when +he had refused the ordinary imitation not +two minutes before.</p> + +<p>My reader will of course think that<span class="pagenum">[Pg 10]</span> +these experiments, being carried out by +myself, are hardly a conclusive proof of +my theory, as, however impartial I might +wish and believe myself to be, I must be +naturally biased in my own favour. I +quite realise that this is a natural doubt, +but fortunately others besides myself have +tried my flies.</p> + +<p>Mr. Herbert Ash put them to an even +more severe test than I did myself, and +has kindly permitted me to give his experience. +I give an extract from a letter +written by him and published in <i>Land and +Water</i> on October 23rd, 1897, as I think +it is a very pertinent testimonial to the +practical success of my theory.</p> + +<p>“I put up a cast of three Alders, two +being the shop-tied patterns which I +usually used, and the third, which I put +on as a first dropper, being Mr. Walker’s. +I landed eight trout in about an hour and +a half, and each of those fish took Mr. +Walker’s fly.”</p> + +<p>“Now, although I used three flies, I +was fishing up stream and dry, my object +being to test the new mode of +tying the Alder, and I found that while<span class="pagenum">[Pg 11]</span> +the fish rose boldly at the first dropper, +not one took any notice of the other +flies.”</p> + +<p>Colonel Walker also had much greater +success with flies dressed with the wings +in the natural position than with any +others. In fact, for several consecutive +days, on different occasions he caught no +fish except with my flies, though he did +not use them more than flies dressed in +the ordinary way.</p> + +<p>Several other fishermen have told me +that their experiments with my imitations +have produced similar results.</p> + +<p>Mr. H. H. Brown, of the Piscatorial +Society, after I had read a paper to that +Society on my theory of the right way to +dress trout flies, described a very interesting +experience which he had one day when +out fishing, and which bears directly on +this theory. While out fishing some time +ago, he rested on a bridge over the river +in which he was fishing. There were a +great number of Alders about, and on observing +some fish in the water some little +distance below the bridge, he caught some +Alders, pinched their heads slightly in<span class="pagenum">[Pg 12]</span> +order to either kill them outright or at +any rate stop them struggling, and threw +them on the water. He was in such a +position that he could observe each fly +individually until it either floated past +or was taken by the fish. What he observed +was, that when in killing the fly +he had disturbed the natural position of +the wings, not one of the fish would look +at it; while, if the wings remained in the +normal position of rest, the fly was always +taken. This occurred time after time, and +not once was the fly with the wings in an +unnatural position taken, but, on the other +hand, not a single fly with its wings in the +natural position of rest was allowed to +pass. He also observed that once or +twice the fish came up to look at a fly +whose wings had been disarranged, but +on getting close to it they always drew +back.</p> + +<p>This is, I think, an extremely strong +argument in favour of my theory.</p> + +<p>I do not propose in this work to deal +with Ephemeridæ, as the wings in the +imitations now sold are in the natural +position. The families I do propose deal<span class="pagenum">[Pg 13]</span>ing +with are the Sialidæ, Trichoptera, +Diptera, and Perlidæ, as no one has yet, +to my knowledge, described the position +in which the wings of the imitations of +these flies should be put.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Colour Perception in Fish</span></h2> + +<p class="center">(<i>Rewritten from “Land and Water,” November 6, 1897</i>)</p> + +<p>Many interesting problems constantly +come before the fisherman, but certainly +one of the most interesting which has +recently attracted his attention is Sir +Herbert Maxwell’s theory on the power +of fish to discriminate between various +colours.</p> + +<p>His theory is, that though fish can undoubtedly +discriminate between different +shades of light and dark, they cannot distinguish +one colour from another. The +only conclusion that can be drawn from +this theory is the conclusion at which Sir +Herbert Maxwell has apparently arrived. +This is, that if the same relations of light +and shade be maintained in the artificial<span class="pagenum">[Pg 15]</span> +which exist in the natural fly, the colour +of the imitation is quite immaterial.</p> + +<p>The facts upon which he based this +theory were (1) that during the May-fly +season he used several artificial May-flies, +some of which were coloured scarlet, some +bright blue, and some coloured to imitate +the natural fly, all of them being similarly +graduated with regard to the shade of +their various component parts; (2) that +he caught trout with all these flies, no +particular one of them being decidedly +more successful than the others.</p> + +<p>This experience of his no doubt would +at first strike one as being very strongly +in favour of his theory; but on going +deeply into the matter, its bearing on the +fish’s powers of vision is not so great as +it appears.</p> + +<p>To begin with, we must consider +whether, judging from experience in the +past, trout have been known to rise at +things on the water which were not only +unlike in colour to any flies on the water, +but also unlike them in shape and gradations +of shade. This we know they will +sometimes do. I have on several occasions<span class="pagenum">[Pg 16]</span> +seen a trout which refused a fairly accurate +imitation of the flies which were on the +water rise at and take below the surface a +swan’s feather. There are also many other +much more extraordinary but similar cases +on record. Thus, the fact that these trout +took an abnormally coloured fly is not a +conclusive proof that they mistook it for +the natural fly, particularly as this experiment +was made during the May-fly season, +when the trout sometimes appear to be +quite mad, but are at any rate always +much less shy than at any other time of +the year.</p> + +<p>The experiment, too, was made upon a +private water, and I think that there is +great doubt that the same result would +have occurred had it been made upon a +well-fished water where the trout were +more shy and better educated.</p> + +<p>We must then consider whether, in what +we know of the natural history of fish, +there are any facts which point towards +the probability of their being able to discriminate +between different colours. Here +we find that there are cases in which +in certain species the males are more<span class="pagenum">[Pg 17]</span> +brilliantly coloured than the females, either +at the spawning season or always. This +is probably a process in evolution which +tends to make them more attractive to the +female. We also know that fish sometimes +assume a colour similar to their surroundings. +This colour is, no doubt, evolved for +their protection from enemies, and surely +a very large proportion of these enemies +are other and larger fish. Many of the +larvæ of water insects and other creatures +upon which fish feed are also coloured +according to their surroundings, in order +to facilitate their concealment. These +facts would naturally lead us to come +to a conclusion opposed to that of Sir +Herbert Maxwell, as the probabilities all +point towards the power of fish to discern +various colours.</p> + +<p>Another very important point is the +structure of the fish’s eye in comparison +with that of man, who we know has the +power of discriminating between colours. +This power is, in the human eye, probably +situated in the layer of rods and cones +of the retina. Had the fish’s retina not +contained this layer, as is stated by Sir<span class="pagenum">[Pg 18]</span> +Herbert Maxwell, there would certainly +have been most excellent grounds for supposing +that his theory was true; but this +layer <i>is</i> contained in the fish’s eye, though +it is not the same as in man. If the fish’s +eye did not contain it, fish would have +been totally blind.</p> + +<p>How far this difference in the retina of +the fish bears on its sense of colour is, at +present, a moot point, though I believe +researches are being made in this direction. +At present, our knowledge is too +limited with regard to it for any definite +statement to be made. The probability +is, that fish have the power of distinguishing +colour from colour. A probability, +however, is not a certainty, though +one is more inclined towards it than +towards an improbability.</p> + +<p>Even should Sir Herbert Maxwell’s +theory prove true, in spite of probabilities +to the contrary, I do not see that we +should have progressed very much further +with regard to facilities in imitating the +natural fly. We know that the relative +values of light and shade in various colours +contiguous to each other, is not actually<span class="pagenum">[Pg 19]</span> +the same as the impression conveyed to +our eyes. We have an example of this +always with us in the photograph, where +red and blue, in relation to each other, +certainly do not produce the same effects +on the plate as they do on the eye; and as +we have no accurate knowledge as to the +effect of contiguous colours upon a normally +monochromatic eye, we could hardly +be certain of producing an accurate monochromatic +imitation of a multi-coloured +object, which would deceive that eye.</p> + +<p>The case of a colour-blind human being +is certainly not a normal case, so the shade +value of the various colours to this eye +could hardly be taken as a safe standard.</p> + +<p>Even if we assumed that all these difficulties +had been surmounted, and that +the exact relative shade values to this +monochromatic eye of every colour were +estimated, I think that there can be no +doubt that it would be easier to imitate +the colours, with the various shades in +these colours, than to calculate out the +relative shade values of the different +colours, in one particular colour, and that +the result of the former and easier, would<span class="pagenum">[Pg 20]</span> +be much more likely to be accurate than +the latter and more difficult attempt.</p> + +<p>Besides this, possibly, as the eyes of +some families of fish are more highly +developed than those of others, the +relative shade values of colour might be +different to the different families, so that +if we eliminate colours from our lures, we +must have different shading for different +fish.</p> + +<p>Having considered all these things carefully, +I have come to the conclusion that +it will be much safer and easier to keep +on using colours in our imitations, even if +we do present these imitations to a monochromatic +eye.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Since writing the above article, I have +been able to collect some further information +with regard to the probable power of +the trout’s eye to discriminate between +colours.</p> + +<p>These researches, though I have not yet +had time to carry them as far as I had +hoped, have led me to believe more firmly +than ever that I am right in recommending +the use of colours in our imitation flies.<span class="pagenum">[Pg 21]</span> +I have prepared some sections of the retina +of the trout, and examined them carefully +in comparison with the retinæ of several +other fish. A short account of what is +known at present of colour-vision is, I +think, advisable to make my meaning clear +to those of my readers who may not be +sufficiently well versed in this particular +subject.</p> + +<p>The sensation of an individual colour is +produced by rays of light of a particular +wave-length falling upon the retina. A +sensation of “white” is produced by rays +containing all the wave-lengths which are +able to affect it. When, on looking at an +object, we find that neither a colour nor +white sensation is produced, this sensation +is called “black.”</p> + +<p>The white sensation may be mixed with +the sensation of any colour of the spectrum, +as also may the sensation of black, and +when these two are mixed they produce a +sensation of “grey.” Some colours of the +spectrum are probably produced by a mixture +of various wave-lengths of different +primary colours, and many colours in nature +do not exist in the spectrum.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 22]</span>The word “tone” expresses variations +of wave-lengths within a named colour, and +“brightness” is used to indicate the intensity +of the sensation produced upon the +retina.</p> + +<p>The enormous difficulty of working out +into a monochrome the shade-values of a +collection of colours, with several tones +and shades of brightness in each of the variously +coloured parts of the object we wish +to imitate, can be imagined on considering +these facts only; but there are more facts +which lead me to believe that to do this is +not only difficult, but impossible.</p> + +<p>Two theories have been propounded to +explain the sensation of colour produced +upon the retina.</p> + +<p>The Young-Helmholtz theory teaches +that there are three primary sensations—red, +green, and violet. Other colours are +a mixture of these sensations; white is produced +when all three sensations are excited +together, and black is an absence of +sensation.</p> + +<p>Hering’s theory is that there are six +primary sensations arranged in three pairs—white +and black, red and green, and<span class="pagenum">[Pg 23]</span> +yellow and blue. He assumes the existence +of three visual substances which undergo +metabolic changes when subjected to the +action of light. These are the red-green, +the yellow-blue, and the white-black substances. +The white-black substance is +influenced by all the rays of the spectrum, +while the red-green and yellow-blue substances +are differently influenced by rays +of different wave-lengths. When all the +rays together fall upon the retina, no +metabolism takes place in the red-green +and yellow-blue substances, but only the +white-black substance is affected. Thus +the white-black substance is the most +active.</p> + +<p>Any discussion as to the relative value +of these theories would in this work be +out of place and unnecessary.</p> + +<p>The ordinary form of colour-blindness in +human beings is the inability to discriminate +between red and green. This shows +that the visual power of these people is +dichromatic and not trichromatic, as their +power is limited to two colours, or pairs of +colours, and does not extend to three.</p> + +<p>The individuals who belong to this class<span class="pagenum">[Pg 24]</span> +of the colour-blind may be divided into two +sub-classes—those who are red-blind and +those who are green-blind.</p> + +<p>Those who are red-blind do not see the +red end of the spectrum, and the blue-green +appears grey, though they have distinct +colour vision of the parts of the spectrum +on either side of the blue-green. In matching +red with a green, they put a bright red +with a dark green.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, those who are green-blind +see the red end of the spectrum, +while the green appears to them as grey. +In matching a red with a green they put a +dark red with a bright green.</p> + +<p>No absolutely undoubted cases of blue-yellow +blindness have been recorded, and +only one of absolute colour-blindness; but +one case is not sufficient to go upon.</p> + +<p>According to the Young-Helmholtz +theory, a case in which only shades of +black and white were visible would be +impossible, as it would not be shades of +black and white which would be seen, but +shades of either red, green or blue. +According to Hering’s theory, of course, +absolute colour-blindness would be possible.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 25]</span>In the normal human eye, only the +central parts of the retina are sensitive to +colour, the peripheral parts are practically +colour-blind. Anæmia of the retina, which +may be produced by pressure on the eye-ball, +will render the retina, first colour-blind +and then insensitive to light. To +me it appears that colours in relation to +each other assume a grey tone, and the +sensation of black and white disappears +last.</p> + +<p>The great difference which I have been +able to observe between the human retina +and the retina of the trout is, that while +the human retina contains a layer of rods +and cones, the retina of the trout only +contains cones, or if it does contain rods, +contains very few, as I have not found any +as yet. There exists also at the back of +the retina of the trout a “tapetum,” +which extends over almost the whole of its +posterior surface. This does not exist in +the human eye, but is found in the eyes of +some of the vertebrates. It consists of a +layer of “guanin” crystals, and, presenting +as it does a metallic appearance, and having +great power of reflecting light, probably<span class="pagenum">[Pg 26]</span> +plays an important part in the visual power +of the trout, particularly, I should think, in +a dim light.</p> + +<p>The fact that the rods are absent from +the trout’s retina does not bear the important +significance that one would +imagine on first realising it. The fovea +centralis of the human retina is the seat +of most acute vision, and in the fovea +centralis there are no rods. The cones in +the retina of the trout are very closely +arranged, so that they are practically in +contact with each other, and their outer +limbs are rather longer and finer than in +the case of man. This layer of cones +extends to the periphery of the retina, and +the cones are just as closely arranged as +far as they extend. These facts should +lead us to believe that the vision of the +trout is probably extremely acute, in fact, +as we find in the retina of the trout, no +material difference from the <i>fovea centralis</i> +of the human retina, we have no reason +to suppose that the visual powers of the +<i>whole</i> of the retina of the trout, should +differ in any way from the visual powers +possessed by the <i>fovea centralis</i>, the seat<span class="pagenum">[Pg 27]</span> +of most acute vision both as to colour and +light in the human retina. The retinæ of +other fishes which I have examined (none +of them were <i>Salmonidæ</i>) contained only +cones; but these cones were some distance +from each other.</p> + +<p>The layer of pigment epithelium which +is present in the human eye, is present +also in that of the trout. It occupies the +same position between the layer of rods +and cones, or cones only, and the choroid. +As in the human eye, it adheres sometimes +to the choroid and sometimes to the retina, +when the retina is removed, though perhaps +it most often adheres to the retina.</p> + +<p>My space is too limited to enter into any +of the theories as to the possibility of the +pigment cells playing a part in colour +vision. It is quite sufficient to state that +they undoubtedly do play some part in our +sense of sight, and that they are contained +in the eye of the trout.</p> + +<p>The retina of a colour-blind person does +not show any organic difference from the +normal eye, so we cannot say to what +cause colour-blindness is due; but so far as +our knowledge goes, there is no reason to<span class="pagenum">[Pg 28]</span> +suppose that the trout is normally colour-blind.</p> + +<p>As Michael Foster so ably put it, “No +man can tell what are the sensations of his +fellow-man,” still less I think can man say +what are the sensations of a trout. All +we can do with regard to this question of +colour vision, is to find out all the facts we +can relating to it, and working on comparisons, +arrive, not at conclusions, but +at probabilities.</p> + +<p>The only thing of which I am sure is +that we shall find it safe and comparatively +easy to imitate flies in colours, but to make +a monochromatic imitation of one, which +would accurately represent it to a normally +monochromatic eye (about which we know +nothing), in a medium of which we know +very little, is practically impossible.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">How to Dress Flies with the Wings in +the Natural Position</span></h2> + +<p>The generally accepted method of dressing +a trout fly is to put on the wings first. +This is perhaps the best plan when making +an imitation of one of the Ephemeridæ, but +it is impossible to put the body on after +the wings, if the wings are placed in the +natural position in the case of any fly not +belonging to this family. The hackle must +also be put on before the wings, so it will +be seen that putting on the wings is the +last operation in dressing one of these +imitations.</p> + +<p>I have never myself used a vice in fly-dressing, +and think that it is a great advantage +to be able to dress a fly without +using one. Any one who can dress flies<span class="pagenum">[Pg 30]</span> +well without a vice will be able to dress +them even better with a vice, and will be +able to dress flies at all sorts of odd times +and places where a vice could not be used; +while he who has never dressed flies without +using one, will find that the imitations +he produces are anything but neat, when +he first tries to make them without his +vice.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Alder and Caddis Flies.</i></p> + +<p>These flies, as I have already explained, +have their wings in the position shown in +<a href="#I21">Figs. 3 and 4</a>.</p> + +<p>Give a few turns of the tying silk round +the shank of the hook, beginning near the +eye and leaving enough room to put on +the hackle and wings. Carry it down the +shank in the Alder, going just beyond the +bend, and in the Caddis-flies generally +stopping well short of it, so that the body +may be perfectly straight.</p> + +<p>The material for the body and the tinsel, +if used, should now be tied in. I find it +best to tie the tinsel in first, not straight +out from the hook, but diagonally, as, if put<span class="pagenum">[Pg 31]</span> +on in this way it lies much smoother in the +first turn than if tied in quite straight.</p> + +<p>If the body is to be made of wool or hair, +the tying silk should be waxed again at the +part nearest the hook for about two or three +inches, and the material spun on it.</p> + +<p>When I began fly-dressing I found this +spinning on of the “dubbing” a great +stumbling-block. In all the books I have +read the directions on this point are +simply, “Spin the ‘dubbing’ on the tying +silk,” and I had not the least idea how this +should be done. As others who wish to +make their own flies may also find this a +difficulty, I will try to explain the method +which I have found the easiest.</p> + +<p>If Berlin wool is used, a piece should be +broken off and the strands separated from +each other. The strands should then be +laid together and pulled into short pieces +until the whole is in one mass. This should +then be teazed up with the nails of the +thumbs and first fingers until it is of an +even consistency. A small portion of this +should then be taken to make the body of +each fly. This should be teazed up again, +and made to taper gradually to a point<span class="pagenum">[Pg 32]</span> +at one end, and applied to the tying silk +with the taper end towards the hook, as +shown in <a href="#I46">Fig. 9</a>. All “dubbing” should +be teazed up and applied +in this way.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 351px;"> +<a id="I46" name="I46"></a> +<img src="images/i046.png" width="351" height="450" alt="" title="Fig. 9." /> +<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Fig</span>. 9.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<a id="I47" name="I47"></a> +<img src="images/i047.png" width="450" height="380" alt="" title="Fig. 11 and 10." /> +<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Fig.</span> 11(left) and <span class="smcap">Fig.</span> 10 (right).</span> +</div> + +<p>The wool must now +be taken between the +thumb and first finger +of the right hand, and +twisted round the tying +silk by rubbing the +thumb and finger together. +The “dubbing” +is now spun on, and should cover from +about a quarter to three-quarters of an +inch of the tying silk, according to the size +of the hook. It should be wound round +the shank to the head, leaving a small +portion of the shank bare at the head +for the hackle and wings. The tinsel or +wire is then wound round in a spiral to +the head, tied, and the surplus cut off. +The hackle should now be applied. The +longest fibres of the hackle must be +of the same length as the hook. Clear +off the flue with the nails of the thumb +and first finger, and then holding the tip<span class="pagenum">[Pg 33]</span> +of the hackle in the left draw down its +fibres by pressing the hackle between +the thumb and first finger of the right +hand and drawing them downwards. The +hackle will now appear as shown in <a href="#I47">Fig. 10</a>. +Take the tip of the hackle thus prepared +between the nails of the thumb and first +finger of the left hand, and the butt of +the hackle in the hackle pliers, so that +the back or dull surface of the hackle +faces towards you. Now, holding the +hackle pliers in the palm of the right +hand with the third and fourth fingers, +put the first and second fingers behind +the hackle, and by stroking them down +with the thumb make the fibres of the<span class="pagenum">[Pg 34]</span> +hackle which point upwards point down +in the same direction as the lower row. +The hackle will now +appear as shown in +<a href="#I47">Fig. 11</a>.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 439px;"> +<a id="I48a" name="I48a"></a> +<img src="images/i048a.png" width="439" height="450" alt="" title="Fig. 12." /> +<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Fig.</span> 12.</span> +</div> + +<p>Tie the point of the +hackle in at the head +as in <a href="#I48a">Fig. 12</a>, cut off +projecting point, and +wind it on with the +pliers in close turns +towards the head. Three or four turns +will be found ample as a rule. Tie in +the end with the tying silk and cut off +the part which remains over. Now draw +down the fibres of the hackle which project +upwards, cutting off those which will +not stay down. The fly should now appear +as shown in <a href="#I48b">Fig. 13</a>.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<a id="I48b" name="I48b"></a> +<img src="images/i048b.png" width="450" height="196" alt="" title="Fig. 13 and 14." /> +<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Fig.</span> 13 (left) and <span class="smcap">Fig.</span> 14 (right).</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<a id="I49" name="I49"></a> +<img src="images/i049.png" width="450" height="446" alt="" title="Fig. 15." /> +<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Fig.</span> 15.</span> +</div> + +<p>The wings should be taken from cor<span class="pagenum">[Pg 35]</span>responding +quill feathers from opposite +wings of the bird. These are split up the +middle with scissors, and a piece from +the side with the longest fibres taken. +The piece of quill attached must now be +cut at regular intervals, and each piece +between these cuts will serve as a wing +(see <a href="#I49">Fig. 15</a>). Take two of these pieces, +one from each feather, and place them +together, with their concave surfaces toward +each other. Place them, one on each +side of the hook, with their lower margins +a trifle lower than the body of the +fly, tie them in at the head, cut off the +projecting part with the quill, and finish<span class="pagenum">[Pg 36]</span> +off the head. The head should now be +varnished, taking care to clear the eye +of the hook, and the fly will appear as +shown in the illustrations of imitation Alder +and Caddis-flies.</p> + +<p>There is another way of preparing wings +which is much better, as it makes the ends +of the wings round, though it is more +difficult. This was first shown me by Mrs. +Richardson of Kingston-on-Thames.</p> + +<p>The feather is taken and the lower part +of the fibres stripped off, till a part is come +to suitable for making a wing. A portion +of fibres sufficient for making a wing is +then separated from the fibres above and +bent carefully downwards. If the fibres +are stroked very gently between the +thumb and first finger, they will arrange +themselves, so that their ends present a +rounded edge instead of a point. This +portion of fibres is then grasped firmly between +the thumb and first finger near the +quill, and detached therefrom by pulling +it smartly downwards. The other wing +is prepared in a similar manner from +a feather of the opposite wing of the +bird.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 37]</span></p> +<p class="center"><i>Diptera and Perlidæ.</i></p> + +<p>In imitations of Diptera and Perlidæ the +body and hackle are put on in the same +way, except that the hackle should be +allowed to project sideways as well as +downwards; for as the wings are horizontal +in these flies, the fibres which project +sideways will not interfere with the +position of the wings, as they would do +in the Alder and Caddis flies. The body +and hackle, when put on, should therefore +appear as shown in <a href="#I48b">Fig. 14</a>.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<a id="I51" name="I51"></a> +<img src="images/i051.png" width="450" height="367" alt="" title="Fig. 16." /> +<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Fig. 16.</span></span> +</div> + +<p>The wings of these flies are perhaps the +most difficult of any to put on. To put +on wings which diverge from each other +as in the Blue-bottle, +two portions of the +quill feathers from opposite +sides, prepared +as described for the +Alder and Caddis flies, +should be laid upon +each other, as shown +in <a href="#I51">Fig. 16</a>. The hook should then be taken +in the left hand, and held by the bend +between the first and second fingers, with<span class="pagenum">[Pg 38]</span> +the head pointing towards the right. The +wings are then laid flat on the body with +the right hand, and held there firmly +with the left thumb. The wings are now +tied in, the quill and part of the fibres attached +cut off close, and the head finished +off. The illustration of the imitation Blue-bottle, +etc., shows its appearance when +finished.</p> + +<p>Those Diptera whose wings lie, when at +rest, one over the other (as in the case of +the Cow-dung), my reader will see that I +have represented in my imitations, with +their wings spread to a certain extent. +This is because I have seen that, in the +natural fly, when it falls on the water, the +wings are most often in this position.</p> + +<p>In Perlidæ, whose wings lie one over +the other, the wings should be put in the +position they occupy in the natural fly, +instead of across each other, and the fly +will appear when finished like the illustration +of the imitation Yellow-Sally.</p> + +<p>The dressings which I have found most +successful will be described with each fly. +It will be noticed that I have put tinsel +on many of the flies which have been<span class="pagenum">[Pg 39]</span> +dressed hitherto without. My reason for +using it so freely is because this is the +only way to produce a peculiar effect +which is seen in certain flies when viewed +from under the surface of the water; and +as this is how they must appear to the +trout, it is best to imitate this effect as +nearly as possible.</p> + +<p>The bodies of many flies are covered +with short hairs. When these flies fall +on the water, an air bubble adheres to +these hairs, and, seen from below the +surface, produce a brilliant metallic effect, +with the colour of the body showing +through in places. Ribbing the body of +the imitation with tinsel reproduces this +effect accurately.</p> + +<p>The appearance of the natural fly on +the water, when seen from below, may be +observed by placing a small mirror at the +bottom of a large bowl full of water. I +have used one of those small round mirrors +which were sent about some time ago as an +advertisement for something, I forget what. +If the fly be placed on the surface of the +water over this mirror, its reflection will +show what the fly looks like to the trout.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 40]</span>Another, and perhaps a better, way to +observe the appearance of the fly from +below the surface is to put it on the water +in a large glass aquarium. It can then be +observed by looking up at it through one +of the sides of the aquarium.</p> + +<p>It is better to use tinsel in dressing +these flies than wire, as wire does not reproduce +the metallic effect of the air +bubble on the body of the natural fly.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class="title"><a id="PII" name="PII"></a>PLATE II</p> + +<p class="center">ARTIFICIAL FLIES</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i056a.png" width="500" height="379" alt="" title="Plate IIa" /> +</div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i056b.png" width="500" height="406" alt="" title="Plate IIb" /> +<span class="caption">Swan Electric Engraving C⚬.</span> +</div> + +<p>Drawn from flies tied by Mrs. J. R. Richardson, of Kingston-on-Thames +(dressed from the Author’s models).</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="lists of flies in Plate II"> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">1,</td><td align="right">2.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Blue-bottle.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">3,</td><td align="right">4.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Green-bottle.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">5,</td><td align="right">6.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">House-fly</span> (slightly enlarged).</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">7,</td><td align="right">8.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Curse (Black).</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">9,</td><td align="right">10.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Curse (Dun).</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">11.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Curse (Badger).</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">12.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Black Gnat.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">13,</td><td align="right">14.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Yellow Sally.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">15,</td><td align="right">16,</td><td align="right">17.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Willow-fly.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">18.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Alder-fly.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">19.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Oak-fly.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">20,</td><td align="right">21.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cow-dung-fly.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">22.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Hawthorn-fly.</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">The Alder-fly</span> (<i>Sialis lutaria</i>, Linn.).</h2> + +<p>The Alder is a fly which hitherto has +taken a position in the dry-fly fisherman’s +estimation very much inferior to that which +is its due. Almost every writer on the +subject says that it is but rarely found on +the water. It is naturally not found there +so often as the flies which are hatched out +in the water, but I have notwithstanding +frequently seen them on the water in fair +numbers. The proportion of Alders which +get on the water is probably very small if +compared with those which do not; but as +the fly is in some places extremely numerous, +even this small proportion becomes in +those places a large number.</p> + +<p>A practical proof that they do frequently +fall on the water is the avidity with which<span class="pagenum">[Pg 42]</span> +the trout feed upon them, and I have almost +always found them in the stomachs of +trout when they have been numerous at +the water-side. I have also often dropped +a natural Alder on the water and seen it +taken by a trout.</p> + +<p>Many will probably think that I have +mistaken one of the Caddis-flies for the +Alder, but I can assure them that this is +not the case. I have always, with regard +to the Alder especially, made a very careful +examination of the flies at the water-side, +and, as every one knows, even a +cursory examination of the fly with a +magnifying-glass puts an end to all doubt +as to its being an Alder or Caddis-fly, even +if the knowledge of entomology possessed +by him who examines is but small. The +peculiar hump-shape of the wings when +at rest also makes an Alder easily recognisable.</p> + +<p>I believe that the great reason that the +imitation Alder is not so successful as it +should be, is because the wings are generally +put in an absolutely impossible position. +This is not the fault of the fly-dressers, +as all writers on the subject<span class="pagenum">[Pg 43]</span> +have put the wings in this position, a +position into which they could not get +in the natural fly without the intervention +of external violence.</p> + +<p>I have, in observing this fly when it +has fallen on the water, seen its wings +in the position of rest as often as not. +In fact the only other condition in which +I have seen it, is when it has been buzzing +violently, apparently with the object of +raising itself from the surface. Of course +the easiest, and in fact the only possible +position in which the wings can be +accurately imitated, is the position of +rest.</p> + +<p>Another mistake in the imitations usually +sold, is in the materials used in the dressing. +The body is made very fat, with +peacock herle; while in the natural fly it +is decidedly thin, and of a dark brown +colour. The wings are made of brown +speckled hen’s quill feathers or bustard, +which are of a very much richer brown +than the wing of the natural fly, and lastly +the hackle is much too profuse and goes +all over the fly. The following dressing +of the Alder I have found to be most suc<span class="pagenum">[Pg 44]</span>cessful, +both in my hands and in those of +other fishermen.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Very dark brown floss silk, carried +well on to the bend of the hook, and +there made a trifle thicker. I have at +times found it very successful when ribbed +with narrow gold tinsel (00 size).</p> + +<p>If the body be covered with thin india-rubber, +it will be found to give the fly a +most effective appearance.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Three or four turns of a black +cock’s hackle, put on as described in +Chapter III.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> From quill feathers of woodcock’s +wings taken from opposite sides. The +woodcock’s feathers have a somewhat +shiny appearance; and as they are also +the nearest in colour to the general colour +of the Alder’s wings, I think they are the +very best feathers to use. I have described +the position in which to put the +wings in <a href="#Page_29">Chapter III</a>.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> No. 2—4, new size.</p> + +<p>(Plates <a href="#PI">I</a>. and <a href="#PII">II</a>. show the natural Alder +and the imitation as it should appear when +finished.)</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Caddis-flies</span> (Trichoptera).</h2> + +<p>Every fisherman knows the Caddis-worm, +which is the larval form of the +Caddis-fly. As the number of different +species of Trichoptera is very large, +there are many different sorts of Caddis-worms. +Some of these make cases which +they fix to rocks; most of them however +have cases which they drag about +with them, and retire into it when +any danger approaches. These cases +vary much in shape and the materials of +which they are made. Some species are +however, as a rule to be found in almost +every water. They are extremely interesting +to watch, though, if they are accidentally +introduced into a hatching trough +containing trout ova, they will destroy +the eggs. Caddis worms are taken freely +by trout, and I have frequently found them,<span class="pagenum">[Pg 46]</span> +contained in their cases, in the stomachs +of trout.</p> + +<p>The Caddis or Sedge flies, as I have +pointed out, are a very numerous family, +and most of them are taken very readily +by the trout. These flies, when on the +water, generally have their wings in the +position of rest. Notwithstanding this +fact, the wings of the imitation Sedges +are always put in an upright position, +while the position of the wings at rest in +the natural flies is practically the same +as in the case of the Alder, though the +lower edges of the wings do not, as a +rule, come quite so low in relation to their +bodies.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Grannom</span> (<i>Brachycentrus subnubilus</i>, +Curt.).</p> + +<p>This fly is extremely numerous on many +of the streams in the South, and is so well +known to the fisherman that a description +is almost needless. It appears about the +middle of April, and lasts five or six +weeks, though Ronalds says that he has +found them in the stomachs of trout as +late as August.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 47]</span>The bunch of eggs which the female +carries at the tail is best represented by +winding on some bluish-green floss silk +or wool at the end of the body, which +should be carried well down on the bend +of the hook, as shown in the illustration +of the imitation fly.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Light coloured fur from hare’s +face, with green floss silk or wool at the +tail. If ribbed with narrow gold tinsel is +sometimes more successful.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Light ginger, or, better still, a +hackle dark in the centre and light ginger +at the ends.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> The lightest-coloured feathers +from a partridge’s wings.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> No. 1—3, new size.</p> + +<p>(Plates <a href="#PI">I</a>. and <a href="#PIII">III</a>. give illustrations of +the natural and artificial Grannom.)</p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Sand Fly</span> (<i>Limnephilus flavus</i>, Steph.).</p> + +<p>Mr. Halford points out in his <i>Dry-Fly +Entomology</i>, that Ronalds was mistaken in +calling this fly the Sand-fly, as the true +sand-fly is one of the Diptera. I take it, +however, that in either case this is but a +popular name; and as almost all former<span class="pagenum">[Pg 48]</span> +writers on the subject seem to have described +the Sand-fly as being a common +Caddis-fly, I think that in adhering to +the old name I shall avoid confusing the +fisherman.</p> + +<p>This fly is one of the most useful of all +the Caddis-flies, as it is hatched out in +April, and lasts almost all the season. +There are several other Caddis-flies which +come out later in the year, that resemble +it very closely both in colour, shape, and +size. The wings are of a yellow ochre +colour, barred with brown, the body is +covered with short hairs of a light fawn +colour, and the fly is about the same size +as, or a little larger than, the Grannom.</p> + +<p>The dressing given below, if slightly +modified, will serve for several of the other +Caddis-flies which come out later in the +season.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Light-coloured fur from hare’s +face, ribbed with orange silk. If ribbed +with narrow gold tinsel is sometimes more +successful.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Light ginger.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> The part of quill feather of a hen +pheasant’s wing that is yellow, barred<span class="pagenum">[Pg 49]</span> +with brown, or a similarly barred part of +the quill feather of a woodcock.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> No. 1—3, new size.</p> + +<p>(Illustrations of the natural and artificial +fly are given in Plates <a href="#PI">I</a>. and <a href="#PIII">III</a>.)</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Red Sedge</span> (<i>Anabolia nervosa</i>, Steph.).</p> + +<p>There is a Caddis-fly which appears on +the water about the beginning of June, +and which I have seen in great numbers +as late as the middle of October, that does +not seem to have obtained a popular name +among fishermen.</p> + +<p>Its wings are very much like those of +the Alder in shape and veining, and the +fly is nearly the same size, though perhaps +it is, on an average, very slightly +smaller. Here, however, the resemblance +ends. Its anterior wings are of a light +reddish-brown colour, and are more transparent +than are those of the Alder. The +body is also shorter in proportion to its +wings, and is closely covered with light +yellow hairs, which, on the darker background +of the body, gives it a greyish-yellow +appearance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 50]</span>This fly is taken freely by both trout and +grayling, and I have seen dace feeding on +it greedily.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Lightest yellow fur from the +water-rat, spun on black silk.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Light red.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> The peculiar shape and colour of +the wings are best represented by the tip +of a feather covering the roots of the quill +feathers in the wing of the landrail. These +feathers are of a reddish brown colour, and +are found near the upper edge on the outer +surface of the wing. The most superficial +and reddish feathers are the best. These +feathers should be taken from opposite +wings, and prepared by stripping off some +of the fibres so that they may appear as +shown in the illustration of the artificial +fly on <a href="#PIII">Plate III</a>. <a href="#PI">Plate I</a>. gives an illustration +of the natural fly.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> No. 9—4, new size.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Welshman’s Button</span> + +(<i>Sericostoma collare</i>, Pict.).</p> + +<p>This fly is very numerous in some places, +and is taken readily by trout. The body<span class="pagenum">[Pg 51]</span> +of the imitation is generally made of +peacock herle, but this makes it much too +thick. The fly generally appears early in +June.</p> + +<p>It is said that this fly is often mistaken +for the Alder, but it should be easy to +discriminate between them. In the Alder +the anterior wings are smooth, broad and +strong, in the Welshman’s Button they are +covered with hairs and narrow. This fly +is usually smaller than the Alder.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Reddish brown wool, ribbed with +narrow gold tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Yellow centre with black ends.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> From reddish quill feather of +landrail.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> 2—4, new size.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Cinnamon Fly</span> (<i>Mystacides +longicornis</i>, Linn.).</p> + +<p>There are a large number of small Caddis-flies +which are very much alike in appearance. +The anterior wings are long and +narrow, and are brown barred with dull +yellow. They hover in great numbers by +bushes and trees overhanging the water,<span class="pagenum">[Pg 52]</span> +and are taken readily enough by trout. I +have chosen the <i>Mystacides longicornis</i> as +being one of the commonest and most +typical. An illustration of the natural fly +is given on <a href="#PI">Plate I</a>. and of the artificial on +<a href="#PIII">Plate II</a>I.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Light fur from hare’s face.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Ginger.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> Narrow piece from well barred +quill feather of hen pheasant.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> No. 0—2, new size.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Caperer</span> (<i>Halesus radiatus</i>, McLach.).</p> + +<p>This fly, which is well known to fishermen +and appears as a rule in August, is +one of the largest Sedge-flies. Its wings +are mottled brown and covered with hairs. +Several other Sedges somewhat resemble +it. (Illustrations of the natural and artificial +flies are given on Plates <a href="#PI">I</a>. and <a href="#PIII">III</a>. +respectively.)</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Brown fur from hare’s face.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> A badger hackle, the light parts +of which are of a pale dull yellow colour.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> From the dullest mottled quill +feather of a hen pheasant.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 53]</span><i>Hook.</i> No. 3—5, new size.</p> + +<p>There are many other Caddis-flies, but +the following dressings, perhaps slightly +modified to imitate certain flies more +closely, will be found to cover most of +them.</p> + +<p>1. <i>Body.</i> White wool, ribbed with narrow +silver tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Pale ginger.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> Brown quill feather of landrail.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> No. 0—3.</p> + +<p>2. <i>Body.</i> Hare’s face, ribbed with narrow +gold tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Brown ginger.</p> + +<p><i>Wings</i> and <i>Hook</i> as No. 1.</p> + +<p>3. <i>Body.</i> Pale yellow wool, ribbed with +narrow gold tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Coch-y-bondu.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> Speckled quill feathers of pheasant’s +wing.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i> as No. 1.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Perlidæ</span></h2> + +<p>Imitation Perlidæ, or Stone-flies, are +more used in the North in wet-fly fishing +than by the dry-fly fisherman of the South.</p> + +<p>The best known species is the Stone-fly +proper, but this fly does not seem to abound +in the South, though I have found isolated +specimens at Heathfield in Sussex on two +occasions.</p> + +<p>This fly is therefore omitted, and the +Willow-fly and the Yellow-Sally only are +described.</p> + +<p>Perlidæ, unlike <i>Diptera</i>, have four wings. +As, however, the anterior wings cover the +posterior when at rest, it is as a rule only +necessary to make the imitation with one +pair of wings.</p> + +<p>This posterior pair of wings in the Perlidæ<span class="pagenum">[Pg 55]</span> +often materially changes the colour of the +anterior pair when they are at rest. Thus +in the Willow-fly, though the anterior pair +of wings are of a brownish colour, they +appear of a dark slaty hue when the fly is +seen crawling about. An illustration of +natural fly is given on <a href="#PI">Plate I</a>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Willow-fly</span> (<i>Leuctra geniculata</i>, Steph.).</p> + +<p>This fly comes on late in the season. In +September and October it is taken freely +by the trout and grayling. It is similar in +shape to the Stone-fly of the North.</p> + +<p>This fly has almost always been made +buzz. Ronalds mentions in his <i>Fly Fisher’s +Entomology</i> that it may be made with wings, +but does not say anything about their +position. I do not think that the hackle fly +is a really good imitation of the natural +insect, and it is quite possible to put the +wings of the imitation in the same position +as those of the natural fly.</p> + +<p>It will be seen that there are on Plate II. +three illustrations of the imitation Willow-fly. +One of these has its wings in the +position of rest, the manner of dressing<span class="pagenum">[Pg 56]</span> +which I have described in a previous +chapter.</p> + +<p>The other, which has its wings partially +spread, I owe to a suggestion from Mr. +G. E. M. Skues.</p> + +<p>The posterior pair of wings are put on +first, and the anterior afterwards. As the +mode of procedure is practically the same +as in the Blue-bottle, with the addition of +another pair of wings, I need not enter +into further detail.</p> + +<p>The Willow-fly, when it falls on the +water, has its wings sometimes in one and +sometimes in the other of these positions.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Light brown fur from water-rat, +ribbed with narrow gold tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Ginger.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> Darkest starling’s quill feathers. +The wings should be made narrow.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> Nos. 00—1, new size.</p> + +<p>(Illustrated, <a href="#PII">Plate II</a>.)</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Yellow Sally</span> (<i>Chloroperla grammatica</i>, +Poda).</p> + +<p>This fly appears in May and June, and +though it is said to be occasionally taken<span class="pagenum">[Pg 57]</span> +by trout, does not seem to be relished to +any great extent by them. The wings +should be placed one over the other as in +the illustrations of the imitation fly given +on <a href="#PII">Plate II</a>.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Light brown water-rat’s fur, ribbed +with yellow silk.</p> + +<p><i>Tail.</i> Two brown fibres from pheasant’s +wing.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Partridge hackle, dyed olive.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> Quill feather of white hen, dyed +olive.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> Nos. 1—2, new size.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Diptera</span></h2> + +<p>The order Diptera, or two-winged flies, +includes more species which at times serve +as food for trout and grayling, than any +other order which includes species of so-called +flies.</p> + +<p>Though naturally many other species +than those whose imitations I describe here +will be found on the water, I have tried to +include those which are most commonly +found, without burdening my reader with +too many.</p> + +<p>The several patterns of imitations of +small Diptera (curses) will, I believe, be +found to represent most of the commoner +species found on the water, at least sufficiently +accurately to deceive the trout +sometimes, though when the fish are feed<span class="pagenum">[Pg 59]</span>ing +upon these tiny flies, it is very probable +that they will refuse all imitations, for +many species which serve them as food are +too small to imitate.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Blue-bottle and Green-bottle</span></p> + +<p>The Blue-bottle and Green-bottle, though +perhaps some of the commonest of flies, are +but little used by the fly-fisherman. The +success met with in using the natural fly +is very small. The reason for this want of +success is the position in which the wings +of the imitation are put by the fly-dresser. +In this case, like that of the Alder, the fault +does not lie with the fly-dresser, as the +writers on fly-dressing direct that the wings +should be put on in the same position as +those of every other fly—that is, in an upright +position. Any one, as I have said +before, on the most casual observation +must realise that the wings of a Blue-bottle +and the wings of a May-fly do not lie in +quite the same position in relation to the +body.</p> + +<p>There are many Diptera which come +under the names of Blue- and Green<span class="pagenum">[Pg 60]</span>-bottles, +but as they are very similar in +appearance it is only necessary to vary the +size, as the trout are probably not sufficiently +scientifically educated to discriminate +between the different species. The +commonest species of Diptera which are +included under the popular names of Blue- and +Green-bottles, are the <i>Calliphora +erythrocephala</i>, Mg., and <i>Lucilia cæsar</i>, Linn., +of which illustrations are given on the +Plate of <a href="#PI">Natural Flies</a>.</p> + +<p>August and September are the best +months for these flies, though they come +out much earlier. They seem, however, to +fall upon the water much more frequently +later in the season. They are also very +good flies for grayling in October. As I +have already said, of the many different +species which I have ventured to include +under the name Blue-bottle, the commonest +at the water side is <i>Calliphora +erythrocephala</i>. This fly is also found in +towns. The Green-bottle, however, which +I have chosen to represent all the others +as being the commonest at the water +side is a country fly, <i>Lucilia Cæsar</i>. +Some species of <i>Lucilia</i>, the bodies of<span class="pagenum">[Pg 61]</span> +which are generally green, are found in +towns.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left:2em;"><i>Blue-bottle</i>—</span></p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Fine dark blue chenille or dark +blue Berlin wool, ribbed with silver tinsel. +(I have found the fly very successful when +ribbed with light blue silk as well as the +tinsel.)</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Black.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> Transparent wing feather of +starling.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> Nos. 2—4, new size. (No. 3 best +all round.)</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left:2em;"><i>Green-bottle</i>—</span></p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Bright green peacock herle, ribbed +with silver tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle</i>, <i>Wings</i> and <i>Hook</i>. Same as Blue-bottle. +(Illustrated <a href="#PII">Plate II</a>.)</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">House-fly</span></p> + +<p>There are many small Diptera which +frequent the water side, which to the ordinary +eye are apparently House-flies. +They resemble them so closely, in fact, +that many could not be discriminated from +them except by an entomologist.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 62]</span>I have, therefore, ventured to put them +all under the heading of “House-fly.” +The only difference which will ever have +to be made in the dressing given below +is in the body, and very rarely in the +hackle; but these modifications must be +left to the fisherman, who must judge for +himself according to the flies he finds by +the water.</p> + +<p>I do not remember ever having met a +fisherman who had used an artificial House-fly +for trout. Trout however do feed on +them; and in this case I can bring other +evidence than my own.</p> + +<p>Ronalds describes an experiment he +made in order to test the trout’s power +of taste; and in this experiment he used +House-flies, to which he applied various +condiments, including red pepper. Though +his object was not to prove that trout fed +readily on House-flies, I think he proved +that they did so.</p> + +<p>Probably the commonest of these small +Diptera which is to be found by the water +is <i>Musca corvina</i>, Fab., which is the country +cousin of our well-known House-fly, though, +indeed, many of the flies which frequent<span class="pagenum">[Pg 63]</span> +our houses are not the true House-fly +(<i>Musca domestica</i>). The male <i>Musca corvina</i>, +whose portrait is given on Plate I., has a +body which appears to consist of alternate +stripes of yellow and brown. The female, +however, has a uniformly dark body. Of +the other flies, very similar in appearance +to House-flies, the bodies vary in colour; +but if made of a yellowish or dull brown, +sometimes ribbed, it will generally prove +like enough to nature, to deceive the +trout.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Yellow ochre-coloured Berlin wool, +spun on black silk. Ribbed with silver +tinsel and dark brown according to circumstances. +(The exact shade is easy to +see on the under surface of the natural +fly. The under surface of the fly is the +surface seen by the trout.)</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Coch-y-bondhu.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> Transparent quill feather of +starling.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> Nos. 00—1, new size.</p> + +<p>(Illustrations of imitation, Plate II.)</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 64]</span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Cow-dung Fly</span> (<i>Scatophaga stercoraria</i>, +Linn.).</p> + +<p>This fly appears as a rule in February, +but I have seen it on warm days in +January, in fairly large numbers. It lasts +all the year till the frosts set in. Those +cow-dungs which appear early in the year +are not so large as those which appear +later. The body is covered with short +hairs which gives it a velvety appearance. +The thorax is large and also has +a number of hairs upon it. In order to +imitate this large thorax, it is necessary +to have more room on the hook above +the hackle and wings than in other flies +to leave room for a turn of the chenille, +of which the body is made, just below +the head of the fly. This will be seen +in the illustrations of the artificial fly on +Plate II.</p> + +<p>The body of the male is a bright yellow +colour, that of the female is greenish. The +male is rather larger than the female. +These flies, which on windy days particularly, +frequently fall on the water, are +often taken very freely by the trout.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 65]</span>Though when at rest the wings are flat +upon each other, as shown in the illustration +of the natural fly in Plate I., they +often, when the fly falls on the water, are +spread out slightly; so in the imitation it +is best to put them in the position shown +in the illustration of the artificial fly.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Yellow or greenish yellow chenille +ribbed with gold tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Ginger.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> Light landrail, or brownish +starling.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> 0—2, new size.</p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Black Gnat</span> (<i>Bibio johannis</i>, Linn.).</p> + +<p>The black Gnat is found on almost all +waters. It is extremely numerous in some +places, and is taken very readily by the +trout.</p> + +<p>These flies are not really Gnats; but as +they are commonly called Gnats by the +fishermen, I have kept to the old name.</p> + +<p><i>Bibio johannis</i> comes out in June. The +body is black in both the male and female, +the wings in the male are almost colourless, +while the wings of the female are +dark. The head of the male is also larger<span class="pagenum">[Pg 66]</span> +than the head of the female. Both the +male and female have a dark oval-shaped +patch about the middle of the anterior +margin of the front wing.</p> + +<p>Both these flies are taken greedily by +the trout when they fall upon the water.</p> + +<p>I have found the following dressing the +best:—</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Peacock quill dyed black, or black +silk.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Cock starling’s hackle, stripped +on one side.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> (<i>Male</i>) From most transparent +part of quill feather of starling. (<i>Female</i>) +From brown tipped starling’s tail feather.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> No. 000—0, new size.</p> + +<p>An illustration of the imitation fly is +given on <a href="#PII">Plate II</a>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Hawthorn Fly</span> (<i>Bibio marci</i>, Linn.).</p> + +<p><i>Bibio marci</i> is commonly called the Hawthorn-fly, +and was described under this +name by Ronalds. It is, speaking broadly, +first cousin to the Black Gnat, though it is +very much larger. It appears at the end of +April or the beginning of May. The body<span class="pagenum">[Pg 67]</span> +is black, and the wings show the oval patch +in the <i>B. johannis</i>; but as the fly is larger, +in the <i>B. marci</i> it is more noticeable. As +only the male seems to rove about to any +extent, it is just as well to imitate the male +only.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Black Berlin wool, ribbed with +silver tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Black.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> (<i>Male</i>) Transparent part of quill +feather of starling.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> No. 1—3, new size.</p> + +<p>An illustration of the natural fly is given +on <a href="#PI">Plate I.</a>, and one of the imitations on +<a href="#PII">Plate II</a>.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Curses</i></p> + +<p>There are several other small Diptera +which at times appear on the water in +swarms. These are known to the fishermen +as Curses or Smuts. They are often +so small that there is no hook made small +enough upon which to tie imitations of +them. However, as every fisherman knows, +when the trout or grayling are feeding on +these flies, it is generally impossible to +get them to take the imitation of any other<span class="pagenum">[Pg 68]</span> +fly, it is worth while trying to imitate +them on the smallest hook made. This +is an 000, with a short shank. As it is +extremely difficult to put wings on these +flies, hackle patterns may be tried, but +the winged patterns are the best.</p> + +<p>Once, when out fishing, I had a very +aggravating experience with some tiny +Curses. I had been fishing all the morning +and had caught nothing. At about +two o’clock I saw several good fish rising, +but they would not look at my fly. I +observed a fair number of light Olive +Duns on the water, but both the imitation +of this fly and several fancy patterns I +tried proved equally useless.</p> + +<p>At last I seated myself on a fence close +to a clump of willows, lighted a pipe, and +began watching a fish which was rising a +few yards higher up, not far from the bank +on my side of the river. The water was +perfectly clear, and when the fish rose I +could see him distinctly. He was a +grayling of between half and three-quarters +of a pound, and rose four or five +times in the minute. There were a lot of +Smuts on the water, which from where I<span class="pagenum">[Pg 69]</span> +was, looked very dark if not black. These +the fish rose at regularly, but he let +several Olive Duns pass by unnoticed.</p> + +<p>The only Curses I had in my fly-box were +black; and as those he was feeding upon +appeared to be black, I put one on my cast +and floated it over him several times. But +though he once took a natural Smut floating +within an inch of my fly, my fly he would +not take.</p> + +<p>I then went further down the bank and +caught some of the Smuts that were on the +water. They were of a mottled dun colour, +and the black effect was only produced by +their shadow or reflection (which I could +not determine) when they were on the +water.</p> + +<p>Of the flies in my box that which came +nearest in general effect to these Curses +was a green insect (dun hackle and peacock +herle body) tied on an 000 hook. This I +put on my cast and floated over him. He +rose to it, and as he rose I could see him +distinctly. When within a few inches of +my fly, however, he stopped short, turned +aside, and took a natural Smut that was +floating past. I tried him then with an<span class="pagenum">[Pg 70]</span> +olive quill, a Wickham, and a red tag; but +he would have none of them. I had to give +him up in despair, though I believe if I had +had a dun-coloured Smut he would have +taken it.</p> + +<p>The dressings of Curses given here will, +I think, be sufficient to include the commoner +Curses so numerous on most waters, +especially during the hottest part of summer +and autumn.</p> + +<p>The number of different small Diptera +which are found on the water is so great +that any attempt to classify them in a work +which is meant only for fishermen would +be out of place. I have therefore limited +myself to giving these imitations—</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left:2em;"><i>Curse No. 1</i> (Black):—</span></p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Black silk or black quill, with a +turn of the narrowest silver tinsel at the +tail.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Black.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> Most transparent part of starling’s +quill feather.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> 000 short shank.</p> + +<p>(Illustrated, <a href="#PII">Plate II</a>.)</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 71]</span></p> +<p><span style="margin-left:2em;"><i>Curse No. 2</i> (Dun):—</span></p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Thinnest part of natural brown +ostrich.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Dun (hen’s)</p> + +<p><i>Wings</i> and <i>hook</i> as No. 1.</p> + +<p>(Illustrated, <a href="#PII">Plate II</a>.)</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left:2em;"><i>Curse No. 3</i> (Badger):—</span></p> + +<p><i>Body</i>, <i>wings</i> and <i>hook</i> as No. 2.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Cock’s badger hackle.</p> + +<p>(Illustrated, <a href="#PII">Plate II</a>.)</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left:2em;"><i>Curse No. 4</i> (Red):—</span></p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Peacock quill dyed to a crimson +lake colour.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Black.</p> + +<p><i>Wings</i> and <i>hook</i> as No. 1.</p> + +<p>Nos. 2 and 3 should be made also without +the fluff being stripped off the quill, which +in this case should be used just as peacock +herle is used.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Oak-fly</span> (<i>Leptis scolopacea</i>, Linn.).</p> + +<p>This fly, notwithstanding its popular +name, is found on many other trees, and I +have seen it in places where there were +no oak-trees near. It kills very well, and<span class="pagenum">[Pg 72]</span> +is in season from April to July. The body +is long and tapered, and the segments of +the abdomen are, in the male, of a brilliant +orange colour, with black markings upon +them, as shown in the illustration of the +natural fly on <a href="#PI">Plate I</a>. The wings are +brown.</p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Reddish orange Berlin wool, ribbed +with black silk, and narrow gold tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Coch-y-bondhu.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> From sixth or seventh quill +feathers of landrail wings.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> New size, No. 2—3.</p> + +<p>(Imitation illustrated on <a href="#PII">Plate II., Figs. 3 +and 4</a>.)</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Winged Ants</span></h2> + +<p>The Winged Ants, which are the newly +hatched insects, appear about the middle +of July. The time at which they appear, +however, varies very much. They appear +in swarms, and when one of these swarms +gets near or on the water, the fish feed +greedily upon them. They have four +wings, the anterior pair being somewhat +longer than the body. These wings, when +at rest, do not fold neatly over each other, +and as the insect is clumsy in its flight, +even a slight breeze is sufficient to drive +many of them out to the water.</p> + +<p>The Ant I have seen most frequently +on the water is a large Red Ant, but +smaller Red Ants and winged Black Ants +are also frequently seen. The position of +the wings in relation to the body easiest<span class="pagenum">[Pg 74]</span> +to imitate is shown in the illustration of +the imitation of the Willow-fly, which has +four wings.</p> + +<p>The Red Ant is frequently used early in +June, though the natural insect is not seen +so early. The imitation, however, frequently +meets with success, though it is +improbable that the trout takes the imitation +for the natural insect, especially as +the wings are always put on in a vertical +position.</p> + +<p>The bodies of all the Ants should be +made fat towards the bend of the hook, +and carried well on to the bend.</p> + +<p>As the body of the Ant is very shiny, +parts of it, when the light falls upon it, +have a very brilliant appearance; therefore +I have recommended the use of tinsel.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left:2em;"><i>Red Ant</i>—</span></p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Red-brown (burnt sienna) silk, +thin on the shank and fat towards and on +the bend of the hook, ribbed with gold +tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Red.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> Transparent part of a starling’s +quill feather.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> 0—2.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 75]</span><span style="margin-left:2em;"><i>Black Ant</i>—</span></p> + +<p><i>Body.</i> Black silk, ribbed with silver +tinsel.</p> + +<p><i>Hackle.</i> Black.</p> + +<p><i>Wings.</i> As Red Ant.</p> + +<p><i>Hook.</i> 0—1.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Caterpillars</span></h2> + +<p>“Of the caterpillars, spiders, and other +creatures which are supposed to fall from +the trees into the water, and into the +trout’s mouth, and of the consequent advantage +of trees projecting over a stream; +of the sapient advice, both verbal and +written, to cultivate vegetation overhanging +the river, because it increases the +supply of natural food; of the statement +that fish under trees are invariably in the +best condition, anglers have heard from +time immemorial. My advice is, cultivate +your trees, because they are of advantage +as giving shelter to the fish. Not a single +example of these tree windfalls has been +found in the hundreds of autopsies which +I have made, and all the caterpillars and<span class="pagenum">[Pg 77]</span> +spiders that fall from the trees in a mile +of water would not suffice to feed a single +pound trout for a single day. They may +therefore be discarded from consideration.”—<span class="smcap">Halford’s</span> +<i>Dry-fly Entomology</i>, +page 138.</p> + +<p>I read this passage with extreme surprise, +as it absolutely contradicts my +personal experience. After thinking the +matter over carefully, and trying to make +out how it was that Mr. Halford, in the +hundreds of autopsies he has made, has +never come across a caterpillar, I realised +how dangerous it is to make a dogmatic +and sweeping statement with the evidence +of personal experience only to fall back +upon.</p> + +<p>As recently as June, 1897, when fishing +with Dr. Charles R. Watson and Mr. A. D. +Home, I made with them a series of six +autopsies of trout caught consecutively in +one morning. The smallest number of +caterpillars found in one of these six autopsies +was five, and the greatest, twelve. +These trout were all caught under oak +trees overhanging the water, which were +at that time swarming with small cater<span class="pagenum">[Pg 78]</span>pillars, +most of these caterpillars being of +a brilliant emerald green colour.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon of the day on which I +am writing this, Colonel Walker showed +me a peculiar sort of knife which he carries +when out fishing, for the purpose of making +autopsies on trout. I naturally took advantage +of this occasion to increase my +evidence, and asked him if he had ever +found caterpillars in the trout he caught. +He told me that in certain places, in the +early part of the summer, he almost always +found caterpillars in the stomachs of the +trout he caught under trees overhanging +the water.</p> + +<p>This experience of his exactly coincides +with my own, though the six consecutive +autopsies described above without my +other similar experiences is a fairly strong +piece of evidence. I am therefore inclined +to believe that there is some good to +be gained in following the sapient advice, +verbal and written, to cultivate vegetation +overhanging the river, beyond its advantage +as giving shelter to the fish.</p> + +<p>I will narrate the circumstances which +first led me to use the caterpillar as a<span class="pagenum">[Pg 79]</span> +dry fly, as they may, I think, interest my +reader.</p> + +<p>I was lying on the bank by a large pool +on a stream, and saw a little green caterpillar +hanging from the branch of an oak +tree, apparently trying in vain to pull himself +up the thread by which he had so +foolishly lowered himself, till he was uncomfortably +near the surface of the water. +I watched him, lazily thinking in a dreamy +manner how very unkind it was of the +trout to keep on rising, and yet not +look at my fly. They were evidently +feeding on something, but what it was +I could not make out. The little green +caterpillar was getting gradually nearer +to the water, and I was beginning to think +that the poor little chap would meet with +a watery grave, when just as he touched +the water a trout came up and grabbed +him.</p> + +<p>Little green caterpillars were evidently +what the trout were feeding upon, and +that was the reason that I could not catch +one with a fly. I watched the branches of +the oak tree overhanging the water for +some time, and saw several caterpillars<span class="pagenum">[Pg 80]</span> +fall in and meet with the same fate. The +next thing I did was to catch a caterpillar, +scrape the fly dressing off my hook, and +put him on it instead. I caught several +trout in this way, but found that it was +almost impossible to cast any distance +without shaking off the caterpillar. After +much trouble caused by this difficulty, +which was very trying to the temper, +as the caterpillars always seemed to come +off the hook at the most critical moment, +and having got a fairly good basket, I +found it was time to return. That night +I managed to make some fairly good imitations +of the little green caterpillar to use +on the morrow, instead of the natural ones. +These imitations met with success, and +since that time I have been able to improve +on the dressings then used.</p> + +<p>I have found many different kinds of +caterpillars in the stomachs of trout, but +small green ones of various sorts were +decidedly the most numerous. The species +I have most frequently found is, I believe, +the larval form of the <i>Tortrix viridana</i>. I +have never found a large caterpillar in a +trout, though I have caught trout with<span class="pagenum">[Pg 81]</span> +imitations of them used as dry flies. I +give the exact dressing of the green caterpillar; +but the other dressings must be +left to the discretion of the fisherman for +alterations, as there are so many sorts of +small caterpillars, some of them being extremely +rare in one place and common in +another.</p> + +<p>Should the fisherman wish to see the +sort of caterpillar commonest where he is +fishing, he must seek them himself. Those +only are useful which are on the trees +overhanging the water. If there are oak +trees the caterpillars will probably be +green, and many kinds of caterpillars will +be found which have rolled themselves up +in the leaves of the tree upon which they +live. I have no doubt that this imitation +caterpillar will be looked upon as a poaching +implement, but it is or should be used +as a dry fly, and to use it successfully +requires as much skill and power of observation +as does the use of any imitation of +a fly used in a similar manner.</p> + +<p><i>How to make an Artificial Caterpillar.</i>—A +small piece of cork 1/32 of an inch thick, or +less, and nearly twice the length of the<span class="pagenum">[Pg 82]</span> +hook, must be cut into the shape shown +in <a href="#I98">Fig. 17</a>. Next take a piece of quill rather +longer than, and about the thickness of +a large pin, from a tail or wing feather of +a starling. This quill makes the foundation +of the body. Split the thick end of the +quill far enough to embrace two-thirds of +the shank of the hook, and then tie it on +the hook as shown in <a href="#I98">Fig. 18</a>. Now fold +the piece of cork, with the broad end +towards the eye of the hook, over the +shank of the hook and the quill, tying it +in as shown in <a href="#I98">Fig. 19</a>.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;"> +<a id="I98" name="I98"></a> +<img src="images/i098.png" width="550" height="145" alt="" title="Fig. 18, Fig. 17., and Fig. 19." /> +<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Fig. 18. (left), Fig. 17. (center), Fig. 19. (right)</span></span> +</div> + +<p>This foundation serves for any caterpillar. +Tie it at the tail whatever is to +be used for ribbing the body, and the body +material if it is not to be spun on the +tying silk. Then wind on the body material, +tie it in, wind on the ribbing, finish<span class="pagenum">[Pg 83]</span> +off at the head, and cut off the projecting +piece of quill.</p> + +<p>The caterpillar when finished should +appear as shown in the illustrations on +<a href="#PIII">Plate III</a>.</p> + +<p><i>Green Caterpillar.</i>—1. Emerald green wool +spun on tying-silk, ribbed with light +yellow silk.</p> + +<p>2. Emerald green wool spun on tying-silk, +ribbed with scarlet silk.</p> + +<p>3. Yellowish green wool spun on tying-silk, +ribbed with narrow gold tinsel.</p> + +<p>4. Olive green wool spun on tying-silk, +ribbed with narrow gold tinsel.</p> + +<p>(I have found Nos. 1 and 2 very successful +when ribbed also with narrow gold +tinsel, and Nos. 3 and 4 when ribbed with +light yellow silk.)</p> + +<p><i>Other Caterpillars</i> made with a reddish-brown +body, and ribbed with yellow or +red, are also sometimes very successful, +as are those also ribbed with red or Coch-y-bondhu +hackles.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="title"><a id="PIII" name="PIII"></a>PLATE III</p> + +<p class="title">ARTIFICIAL FLIES</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 469px;"> +<img src="images/i101.png" width="469" height="650" alt="" title="Plate III." /> +<span class="caption">Swan Electric Engraving C⚬.</span> +</div> + +<p class="center">Drawn from flies tied by Mrs. <span class="smcap">J. R. Richardson</span>, of Kingston-on-Thames +(dressed from the Author’s models).</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Plate III flies"> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">1.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Sand-fly.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">2.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Grannom.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">3.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cinnamon-fly.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">4.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Welshman’s Button.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">5.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Caperer.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" colspan="2">6.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Red Sedge.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">7,</td><td align="right">8.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Green Caterpillar.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">9,</td><td align="right">10.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Corixa.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">11,</td><td align="right">12.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Fresh-water Shrimp.</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 84]</span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 85]</span></p> +<h2>PART II</h2> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 86]</span></p> +<p class="title"><big><i>WET FLIES</i></big></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER I<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">A Theory</span><a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor"><small>[1]</small></a></h2> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Rewritten from an article in <i>The Field</i> under the +heading of “An Unorthodox View of Wet Fly Fishing.”</p></div> + +<p>That a trout or any other fish could +possibly mistake a wet fly used in the +regular wet fly way for the natural fly of +which it is supposed to be an imitation, +was always to my mind a very doubtful +question; but now it is so no longer. I +am sure the fish takes it for something +else.</p> + +<p>If we consider what would happen to a +natural fly which had by some mishap become +submerged, we can come to no other +conclusion than that it would be carried +along by the current, without any power +of its own of altering the direction in +which it was being moved by the water. +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 88]</span>Does this ever happen to the sunk fly? I +think not. In fishing across and down +stream it certainly does not; and even in +up stream fishing, in order to keep his line +straight, the fisherman must keep a certain +amount of tension on it, and very probably +draws it through the water with much +the same sort of movement he would give +it if not fishing up stream.</p> + +<p>This movement through the water which +is given to the artificial must be absolutely +unlike any movement of the natural fly +when under the surface; for in the natural +fly, if it were not already drowned, the +only possible movement would be that of +its legs and wings, which, not being intended +as a means of progression through +the water, and being absolutely unsuitable +for that object, would be most unlikely to +enable it to do so.</p> + +<p>But here a very natural question arises +as to what, if not the natural fly, the fish +takes the imitation to be? In a communication +to the <i>Field</i> in June, 1897, I +described, under the heading of “A New +Trout Fly,” the imitations of two Corixæ. +This seems to be a key to the whole<span class="pagenum">[Pg 89]</span> +question. The number of insects living in +fresh waters, and possessing the power of +moving through it, is enormous.</p> + +<p>There are between 220 and 230 different +species of Water Beetles in our waters. +There are also very many different sorts +of Heteroptera, including the numerous +family Notonectidæ. When we add to +these the larvæ of flies and water beetles, +the Crustaceans, Hydræ and Water +Spiders, we must begin to realise that +there are other things than a drowned +natural fly for which the fish might mistake +its imitation, with the materials of +which it is made soaked in and drawn +through the water.</p> + +<p>The movement of many of these creatures +through the water is fairly represented +by the movement of the artificial +fly in wet fly-fishing; and, when the shade +and colour and size of the fly is the same +as one of these aquatic creatures, I am sure +that the fish takes it, not for a fly, but for +one of them. Again, when the enormous +number of these aquatic creatures is considered, +it is most probable that one or +other of the flies tried on any water by<span class="pagenum">[Pg 90]</span> +the fisherman will come very near in shade, +colour, and movement through the water, +at any rate, to one of them.</p> + +<p>If this conclusion at which I have arrived +is correct, as I believe it to be, would +it not be wiser to try to imitate, not the +natural fly, but some of these numerous +aquatic creatures? They are numerous +enough, and a large number of them are +easy to imitate; but as yet but little has +been done, except with regard to the +spiders, in this direction. I am also sure +that the success of the so-called spider +patterns used in wet fly-fishing has been +due to quite a different cause to that +which those who first used them and +those who use them now believe, as these +imitations are made from the insect as it +appears when out of the water. The +spider goes from its nest to the surface +of the water and back again by a thread +stretched between, and so would hardly +move through the water, as its imitation +is made to do by the fisherman. Those of +the so-called spider-flies which are supposed +to represent some of the Ephemeridæ, +are, for the reasons I have given<span class="pagenum">[Pg 91]</span> +before in speaking of flies in general, most +unlikely to be mistaken for the natural +insect by the trout.</p> + +<p>A trout will undoubtedly sometimes take +anything moving through the water which +simulates life, if it be of a suitable size. +This is shown by the manner in which +they take the fancy flies; although here +again, as one particular pattern of a fancy +fly kills better than any other on one particular +water, I think that very often this +fancy fly is taken by the fish for some +creature which is particularly numerous +there. At any rate, if the fish only takes +the artificial fly because it is apparently +something alive and moving, I am sure +that he would seize it with much more +avidity if it represented one of his aquatic +neighbours on which he has been feeding, +and if its appearance reminded him of many +previous pleasant meals. (Jan. 15, 1898.)<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Since this article appeared in <i>The Field</i>, some correspondence +on the subject has taken place in <i>The Fishing +Gazette</i> and <i>St. James’s Gazette</i>. Many of the arguments +brought forward by some of the correspondents have led me +to believe that I cannot have made myself sufficiently clear +in the above article, so I have added some further explanations.</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 92]</span>My readers must not suppose that I +intend to apply these remarks to any +particular circumstances; I am only speaking +of wet-flies in general. While it is +probable that the natural fly does often +sink under the surface, and may then be +taken by the trout, the wet-fly of the fisherman +does not as a rule behave as does the +natural fly when under water. That the +trout takes the wet-fly fished up stream, +which is allowed to come down with the +current without any drag and close to the +surface, for the natural fly it represents, is +also very probable; but these facts do not +in any way tend to disprove my theory. +This manner of wet-fly fishing is very much +like dry-fly fishing, and is certainly not the +way in which wet-fly fishing is practised +in lakes, and is hardly the most general way +in which it is practised on many rivers.</p> + +<p>In dealing with this subject fully and +to carry my theory to its necessary conclusion, +it is of course necessary to find a +probable explanation of what every form of +wet-fly, fancy or supposed imitation of a +natural fly, is taken for by the fish. This +naturally leads us to believe that such a<span class="pagenum">[Pg 93]</span> +theory, if it approaches the truth, should +include an explanation of why the salmon +takes the fly.</p> + +<p>We know but little of the world as it +appears to the eye of the fish, but from the +little that is known something may be +deduced which carries this theory a little +further. In the sea many and very various +effects may be produced upon objects +moving through the water when passing between +the eye and the surface, by light, by +the reflecting powers of the bottom of the +water, and by the relative clearness of the +water, all of which factors of the effect produced +vary to an almost incalculable extent.</p> + +<p>Given a bright sun, a light sandy bottom +and clear water, a small crustacean swimming +between the eye of the observer and +the surface often will not appear to be +like the creature when it is seen out of +the water. The outline will be indistinct, +and the whole will frequently appear to +be brilliantly coloured. Not only is the +body thus brilliantly coloured, but equally +gaudy rays will be seen round it, probably +produced by the moving legs and by refraction.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 94]</span>In this case the circumstances are all in +favour of the production of an effect of +brilliant colouration; but going to the other +extreme, with a dull light, a dark bottom +and cloudy water, we have the dullest-coloured +fly accounted for, as the first conditions +accounted for that which was most +gaudy. This also explains the fact that +the flies which go in various gradations +of colour between these extremes are +most suitable for various conditions of the +weather, water, and locality.</p> + +<p>In the case of the Salmon-fly, probably +the salmon remembers, when he has +reached fresh water, many an appetising +morsel in the shape of a crustacean or small +fish, and takes the fly for one of these.</p> + +<p>In the case of the trout we know that +crustaceans are very acceptable to them, +and though probably fresh water will not +produce the brilliant effect which is produced +by salt water as I have described +above, still, as fancy Trout-flies do not run +to such gaudy colours as do Salmon-flies, +still the effect should be sufficient to +account for a fair amount of brilliant colour +under similar conditions. No doubt some<span class="pagenum">[Pg 95]</span> +of the fancy Trout-flies are also taken for +small fish.</p> + +<p>In many waters, however, the effect +could hardly be made brilliant, as shallow +water, shade produced by weeds, &c., and +muddy or dark bottoms would all militate +against its being so, and in these waters +probably only lures that imitate the actual +colours of the object they represent would +be of any use.</p> + +<p>In fresh water and in the case of trout, +as I have pointed out, there are many +aquatic creatures which serve as food +which have the power of swimming through +the water.</p> + +<p>My theory, stated briefly and more explicitly, +I hope, than was the case in my +article in <i>The Field</i>, is that under circumstances +in which the wet-fly behaves more +as does some creature having the power of +swimming through the water, it is better +to imitate this creature than any natural +fly on the water, which cannot in any case +behave in such a manner; and what I wish +to advocate is, that imitations of these +aquatic creatures should be made and +used.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Corixæ</span><a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor"><small>[3]</small></a></h2> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Rewritten from an article in <i>The Field</i> under the +heading of “A New Trout Fly.”</p></div> + +<p>While fishing in a water where the trout +are very numerous in the spring of 1897, +I found that I could hardly catch a single +trout in the day with the fly. The weather +was cold and windy, and showed no signs +of mending. At last, one day, I opened a +trout, one of the few that I had caught +during my visit, and found the stomach +full of some insects belonging to the family +of Corixæ. These insects are very commonly +called Water Beetles, or Water Boatmen. +They, however, are not beetles but +bugs (Heteroptera), and are not the same +as the true water-boatmen, the <i>Notonecta +glauca</i>, though they somewhat resemble it +in appearance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 97]</span>On finding these insects in the trout I +took some of them home, and made imitations +of them. With these the next day +I caught a number of trout, though the +weather was just as unfavourable. Since +then I have improved somewhat upon the +imitations I then used, and in waters +which are inhabited by Corixæ. These +imitations have met, both in my hands +and in the hands of others, with greater +success than any other form of wet fly.</p> + +<p>It is an extraordinary thing, considering +the number of men who have written on +trout fishing, that it has apparently never +occurred to one of them to describe an imitation +of one of this large family of insects. +Mr. Halford, in his <i>Dry-fly Entomology</i>, +indeed states that he has frequently found +them in the stomachs of trout, but he does +not even suggest that an imitation of them +might be made.</p> + +<p>There are many species of Corixæ which +inhabit our waters, but the commoner sorts +are so similar in appearance that many of +the species are very difficult to distinguish +even by an expert, and but little work has +been done with regard to them. Therefore<span class="pagenum">[Pg 98]</span> +I have come to the conclusion that a similar +dressing on different sized hooks will be +quite sufficient to deceive the unscientific +eye of the trout. This conclusion is corroborated +by the fact that I have several +times had an imitation Corixa seized by a +trout when it was sinking, and before I +began to draw it through the water, +which is, I take it, a fairly severe test as +to the accuracy of the imitation. Colonel +Walker and Mr. Herbert Ash have also +had the same thing happen to them when +fishing with my imitation Corixæ.</p> + +<p>Corixæ vary much in size, the largest +and one of the commonest species being the +<i>Corixa geoffroyi</i>, which is about half an inch +long. In all Corixæ, the head is wide and +is attached but slightly to the body. It is +convex in front and concave behind, so as +to fit the end of the thorax, and is as wide +as the wings when folded and at rest. +These insects possess four wings, which +they frequently use, though they are somewhat +clumsy in starting from the surface +of the water. I have sometimes, however, +seen them fly considerable distances. The +anterior wings resemble the wing-cases of<span class="pagenum">[Pg 99]</span> +a beetle; they are hard and shiny, brown +in colour, with dark mottled markings upon +them. The posterior pair are transparent. +The abdomen is light yellow and fringed +with hairs, and there are transverse lines +on the dorsal surface of the thorax. As, +however, these markings on the thorax +and wings are hardly visible to the naked +eye, they give the Corixa a generally +brownish and shiny appearance. Of the +legs, six in number, the hind pair are +most used in swimming. They are somewhat +flattened at their extremities to a +paddle shape, and are fringed with hairs. +I have seen the hind legs of the Corixæ +when the insects have been suspended +motionless in mid-water, standing out at +right angles on each side of the body; +and as in the imitation I am about to +describe, the legs take this position when +the fly is at rest or sinking in the water; +this explains the fact of the trout taking +them in the way I have mentioned +above.</p> + +<p>The <i>Corixa sahlbergi</i>, which is almost as +common as the <i>Corixa geoffroyi</i>, is about +half its size, but is otherwise very similar<span class="pagenum">[Pg 100]</span> +in appearance, as are nearly all the other +smaller species.</p> + +<p>The Corixa frequently comes to the surface +to breathe, and a number of small air +bubbles attach themselves to its body. +These, when the insect is swimming under +water, give its body a brilliant silvery appearance, +with the yellow showing through +in places. This effect is accurately reproduced +by ribbing the body with silver tinsel.</p> + +<p>The size of the hooks used must depend +upon the size of the species of Corixæ inhabiting +the water to be fished, and varies +from No. 1 to 3, new size.</p> + +<p>The Corixæ in any particular water may +easily be found in order to observe the +size. They congregate in great numbers +among the weeds, &c., on the bottom +of the water. They are very numerous +in most millponds, pools, back-waters, +sluggish waters and ponds.</p> + +<p>The body is made with light yellow +Berlin wool, teazed up with fur from the +hare’s face, and ribbed with silver tinsel. +A good space of shank should be left above +the body.</p> + +<p>The only legs which make any show in<span class="pagenum">[Pg 101]</span> +the water are the hind legs, and they are +the only ones it is absolutely necessary +to imitate; should, however, the fisherman +wish to imitate the others, one turn of a +ginger hackle may be used.</p> + +<p>When I described the Corixa in the <i>Field</i> +I directed that the hind legs should be +made with a strand of peacock herle. I +have however found a better imitation +of these legs since then, in the end of a +quill feather from a starling’s wing. This +keeps up its spring even when soaked +for a long period in the water, while the +peacock herle legs after a time adhered +to the body of the fly, and did not stand +out on each side when the fly was at rest. +The tip of the feather should be completely +cleared of fibres on one side, and nearly +so on the other, leaving however a few +short stumps at the end, as shown in +illustrations of imitation in <a href="#PIII">Plate III.</a>, to +represent the paddle-shape of the legs. +These legs are then tied in at right angles +to the body. I have found the best way +of accomplishing this is to tie the legs in +straight to the side, with the buts pointing +towards the tail of the fly. Then bend<span class="pagenum">[Pg 102]</span> +them down, and put enough turns of the +tying silk round the shank of the hook to +keep them in the position shown in the +illustration of the imitation.</p> + +<p>The wings are made from the quill +feathers of the woodcock, laid flat on the +body one over the other, as described in +the directions for tying Perlidæ, which +have their wings lying one over the other. +The head must be made large, and the +whole fly when finished appear as shown +in the illustration.</p> + +<p>When used, this fly should be allowed to +sink. The depth to which it must sink +varying according to circumstances, and +then drawn through the water in little +jerks. Each of these movements through +the water causes the legs, which stand out +on each side of the body, to bend back; +but at the end of the jerk, when the fly +is momentarily stationary, these legs resume +their original position. Thus the +movement of the legs of the natural insect +when swimming is accurately imitated. +(June 12, 1897.)</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>This imitation <i>Corixa</i> has met with a<span class="pagenum">[Pg 103]</span> +very general condemnation as not being a +lure which should be allowed on waters +where the use of the fly only is permitted. +As this child of my fancy has cost me many +hours of careful thought and labour, I am +inclined, with all due deference to these +opinions, expressed by men of much greater +experience than mine, to say a few words +in its defence.</p> + +<p><i>Corixæ</i> are insects which live in the water +and are eaten by trout. They possess +wings which they use frequently, sometimes +flying a considerable distance, and +I have seen trout take them just as they +were trying to leave the surface of the +water. The efficacy of the imitation, +therefore, depends upon the skill of the +fisherman, who must make it simulate +in its movements the movements of the +natural insect. Mr. G. A. B. Dewar, in his +<i>Book of the Dry Fly</i>, in speaking of “tailing” +trout, which are probably feeding on +"food of the shrimp and snail order,“ +advises that they should be fished for +"with a long line down stream, and the fly +worked with a series of little jerks, somewhat +as in salmon-fishing. The fly should<span class="pagenum">[Pg 104]</span> +be cast just above where the head of the +trout is adjudged to be, and worked into +the angler’s bank, and it must never be +kept still, otherwise the fish will at once +perceive the deception and at once decline +it.” Mr. Dewar then mentions a dry-fly +angler of great skill who is very successful +in fishing in this manner with a big Alder. +It is more than probable that in these cases +the Alder is taken for a <i>Corixa</i>, or something +very like it, as the colour, size, and +movements are somewhat similar.</p> + +<p>The Marquis of Granby, in the preface +to Mr. Dewar’s book, also speaks highly +of a sunk alder for “tailing” trout.</p> + +<p>“To kill ‘tailers’ in broad daylight and +in low water is quite an art in itself,” is +another quotation from <i>The Book of the Dry +Fly</i> upon this mode of fishing, and though +the author points out that this is not true +dry-fly fishing, still if the fisherman’s conscience +allows him to use a sunk Alder +down stream and worked in this manner, I +think it should also allow him to use an +imitation <i>Corixa</i> under similar circumstances.</p> + +<p>I should not have dragged the writings<span class="pagenum">[Pg 105]</span> +of others into such a question as this, had +not the criticisms upon my flies been an +indirect attack upon myself, as what has +been said about them practically means +that they ought not to be used by any one +who calls himself a sportsman. If this is +true of the flies, what could not be said +of their inventor? For this reason I take +the best means I can find to defend myself, +and what better defence could there be +than the published practices of two men +whose sportsmanlike qualities have never +been doubted?</p> + +<p>What is legitimate trout-fly has, I believe, +never been clearly defined; but I +hope I shall not be presuming too much +in saying, that if the lure in question is +the imitation of an insect which can and +does fly, made of the ordinary materials +used in fly-making upon one hook, this lure +has a perfect right to be called a <i>legitimate +trout-fly</i>.</p> + +<p>It will be found that my <i>Corixa</i> fulfils +these conditions.</p> + +<p>There is one thing that I wish particularly +to impress upon my reader, and this +is that, in using the imitations of <i>Corixæ</i><span class="pagenum">[Pg 106]</span> +and Fresh-water Shrimps, he should find +out whether these creatures inhabit the +water he is fishing. If he does not do this +and fishes with the imitations of either of +them where they do not exist, he will +probably meet with failure and disappointment.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Fresh-water Shrimp</span> (<i>Gammarus pulex</i>)<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor"><small>[4]</small></a></h2> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Rewritten from an article in <i>The Field</i>, April 16, 1898, +under the heading of “The Fresh-water Shrimp as a +Wet Fly.”</p></div> + +<p>Of all the forms of food partaken of by +the trout the Crustacea are the best. When +I say the best, I mean that trout fed upon +Crustacea seem to thrive better than trout +fed on anything else. In this case, at any +rate, the most wholesome form of food +seems also to be the most welcome; for +though I have tried feeding trout with +almost every form of food, I have never +come across another form which they have +taken with anything approaching the +voracity with which they take Crustacea.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, I can bring forward a case +to show how trout thrive when fed upon +Crustacea. In April, 1897, Colonel Walker +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 108]</span>presented some trout to the Brighton +Aquarium. I myself caught some of these +trout, which were put in a rearing pond to +await their being transferred by rail to +the Aquarium. As I also assisted in the +operation of taking them from the rearing +pond and putting them into the tanks in +which they were to travel, I can vouch for +their size at that time. They were all in +rather bad condition, and, even had the +largest been in good condition, it could +not have weighed more than three-quarters +of a pound. These trout have been fed +entirely on Crustacea since they were introduced +into the tank they now occupy; and +at the time I am writing (January, 1898), +the largest of these trout must be quite +two pounds or more in weight, and there +are others which are nearly as large.</p> + +<p>The voracity with which these trout +seize the Sandhoppers and Shrimps upon +which they are fed is a perfect revelation. +I have seen them leap out of the water to +catch the Shrimps thrown to them before +they reached the surface.</p> + +<p>I have also found that young trout in +rearing ponds take Fresh-water Shrimps<span class="pagenum">[Pg 109]</span> +with the same greediness; and on considering +these facts, I am surprised that there +have not been more attempts to imitate +the Fresh-water Shrimp.</p> + +<p>The <i>Gammarus pulex</i> may be found in +almost all streams, especially where there +is much vegetation. An illustration of it +is given on <a href="#PI">Plate I</a>. I have however found +them abundant in streams where there +were no weeds. They hide under stones +at the bottom of the water and among +the weeds, especially among watercress +and starwort. Though they will live +in still water, I have found them most +numerous in streams; and notwithstanding +that they are generally supposed +only to inhabit somewhat sluggish streams, +I have found them in fairly rapid ones, +with a stony bed. The Shrimp is very +prolific, and if protected increase very +rapidly; thus it is a most excellent plan for +those who breed and rear trout to cultivate +them, as they are one of the most valuable +forms of food.</p> + +<p>These animals are very similar in shape +to their well-known relation, the common +Sandhopper. In colour they vary very<span class="pagenum">[Pg 110]</span> +much according to the water they inhabit. +I have seen them a pale yellow colour in +some streams, while in others they are +almost black. The commonest colour is +however a reddish-yellow.</p> + +<p>I find that the general idea is that these +Shrimps travel through the water in quick +leaps by bending up their bodies and +straightening them out again. I have +however never seen them do this, though +I have kept them in an aquarium and +watched them very carefully.</p> + +<p>What I have seen is, that they use their +legs to swim with, moving them as though +they were walking very rapidly. They +cannot, however, walk when they are taken +out of the water, but lie perfectly helpless +upon their sides. In a stream where the +Fresh-water Shrimp swims, it seems unable +to progress up stream, or at any rate, if it +does it moves very slowly; when they wish +to go up stream they crawl along the +bottom. They can, however, as a rule, +maintain the same position against the +current.</p> + +<p>I have found the following to be the best +way to dress an imitation of the Fresh-water<span class="pagenum">[Pg 111]</span> +Shrimp:—Choose a light ginger tackle, cut +the tip off, and tie the tip on a hook (No. 1 +or 2, new size), so that the fibres will +project for between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch +at the tail. Tie in a thin strip of india-rubber +and a piece of narrow silver tinsel.</p> + +<p>The strip of india-rubber must be taken +from a piece of the natural rubber, and cut +so thin that when stretched it is transparent. +When stretched it should be quite +a sixteenth of an inch broad. A little piece +of india-rubber tapered at each end and +half as long as the shank of the hook, must +now be fastened to the shank near the head +of the fly, placing the piece of rubber +on the shank and tying it in with the +tying silk. Now bring back the tying +silk to the tail of the fly, and spin the +wool, of which the body is to be made, +on to the tying silk and wind it on the +shank. The wool may vary in colour, according +to the colour of the Shrimps in the +stream to be fished, from light yellow or +reddish-yellow to a very dark brown. +When the wool body is finished off, wind +on the strip of india-rubber, so that the +edge of one lap meets the edge of the other,<span class="pagenum">[Pg 112]</span> +thus covering the body entirely; tie in and +cut off the remainder, and then rib the +body with the tinsel.</p> + +<p>In putting on the hackle, which is light +ginger, it is necessary that some of the +fibres should be made to project forwards, +so the tying silk should be finished off behind +these. When the fly is complete it +should appear as shown in illustrations of +imitation on <a href="#PIII">Plate III</a>.</p> + +<p>In fishing this fly must be allowed to sink +to mid-water, and then allowed to travel +across and down stream in short stages; +but should not be drawn towards the +fisherman in any marked way, or it will +not represent the movements of the natural +Shrimp.</p> + +<p>Whether any particular stream is inhabited +by these Crustacea may be easily +discovered. If the stream has a stony +bottom they will be found under almost +every large stone which is turned over. If, +however, there be <i>débris</i> or mud at the +bottom, they may easily be captured with +a stout gauze net, mounted on a strong +ring and handle. If this net be passed +along the bottom, and some of the weeds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +and <i>débris</i> brought up, the Shrimps will be +found among the contents of the net. I +should strongly advise any one possessing +a trout stream which is not inhabited by +the Fresh-water Shrimp to introduce them, +for they are, as I have pointed out, one of +the very best forms of trout food. I have +been very successful with the imitation +shrimp on waters which contain the fresh-water +shrimp.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>This imitation has also met with general +condemnation of an even more decided +character than that of the Corixa. In +neither case, however, have any reasons +been given for the condemnation.</p> + +<p>As undoubtedly some of the hackle flies +used wet must be very like a shrimp, and +if the imitation shrimp is condemned, so +also should these hackle flies.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Larvæ of Water-Insects</span>, which have +the power of swimming in the water, are +best imitated by making a very taper +body, with a large head. They are many +of them small, and these should not be +tied on a hook larger than No. 1, new +size. There are, however, many larvæ<span class="pagenum">[Pg 114]</span> +which are larger, but not many of these +swim about much in the water. Some are +brownish-yellow, and some nearly black. +Some should have a tail made of two or +three strands of hackle the same colour +as the body. Some have appendages on +the sides of the body, and in the imitations +of these the hackle must be tied in at the +tail, carried up over the body, and a couple +of turns given at the shoulder. They may +be made in various shades, from brownish-yellow +to black. I have not yet had time +to work out any proper scheme of imitations, +but only write this as a suggestion.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> +<h2>SOME HINTS ON DRY FLY-FISHING</h2> + +<p class="center"><i>On Casting</i></p> + +<p>The fly must not be thrown directly on +to the water, but should be allowed to +drop there by gravitation. Thus the line +should extend itself in a perfectly straight +line in the air, at least a foot above the +surface of the water, and then the fly will +drop naturally upon it.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>On Keeping the Line Floating</i></p> + +<p>Unless the line be floating it is almost +impossible to avoid a “drag,” which is, +as a rule, absolutely fatal. The best way +to make the line float is to rub the last +twenty-five yards with vaseline, then go +over the line with a lump of beeswax, +and finish up by rubbing very gently with +a rag with vaseline upon it. A rag should +be carried when out fishing, with a small +piece of beeswax in it. A small tin of +vaseline must also be taken and then,<span class="pagenum">[Pg 116]</span> +when the line shows any signs of sinking, +it must be rubbed with the rag which has +been previously dipped in the vaseline. +The small piece of beeswax should touch +the line as it is being rubbed with the +rag, and the wax will become soft on the +surface as it mixes with the vaseline.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>On Making the Fly Float</i></p> + +<p>Many fishermen use odourless paraffin; +but it takes some time for the paraffin to +float off, and when a quick change of flies +is necessary, this is a great disadvantage. +If the finger be dipped very slightly in the +tin of vaseline, so that there is just a +suspicion of it on the skin, and the hackle +of the fly be rubbed with it, the fly will +float as well as it does with the odourless +paraffin, and the vaseline will not float off. +Personally I prefer not to use anything. +This entails a small amount of extra labour +in drying the fly; but the tints of the fly +are not altered, as they often are if any +form of grease is used to make the fly float.</p> + +<p class="center">RICHARD CLAY AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BUNGAY.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class="title">TRANSCRIBER NOTES:</p> + +<p>Punctuation has been normalized without note.</p> +<p>Footnotes have been moved closer to their reference point in the text.</p> + +<p>Page x: Page "72" changed to page "73" Chapter VIII, Winged Ants.</p> + +<p>Page 10: "biassed" changed to "biased" (I must be naturally biased).</p> + +<p>Page 100: "teased" changed to "teazed" for consistency (teazed up with fur).</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Old Flies in New Dresses, by Charles Edward Walker + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD FLIES IN NEW DRESSES *** + +***** This file should be named 39321-h.htm or 39321-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/3/2/39321/ + +Produced by Pat McCoy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +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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