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Lee. - </title> - - <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover" /> - - <style> /* <![CDATA[ */ - -a { - text-decoration: none; -} - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1,h2,h3,h4,h5 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -h2.nobreak { - page-break-before: avoid; -} - -hr.chap { - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - clear: both; - width: 65%; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; -} - -img.w100 { - width: 100%; -} - -div.chapter { - page-break-before: always; -} - -ul { - list-style-type: none; -} - -li, li.indx { - margin-top: .5em; - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -li.ifrst { - margin-top: 2em; - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -p { - margin-top: 0.5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; - text-indent: 1em; -} - -table { - margin: 1em auto 1em auto; - max-width: 40em; - border-collapse: collapse; -} - -td { - padding-left: 2.25em; - padding-right: 0.25em; - vertical-align: top; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.tdr { - text-align: right; -} - -.tdpg { - vertical-align: bottom; - text-align: right; - white-space: nowrap; -} - -.blockquote { - margin: auto 10%; -} - -.blockquote p { - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.caption { - text-align: center; - margin-bottom: 1em; - font-size: 90%; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.center { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.figcenter { - margin: 1.5em auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.noindent { - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.nw { - white-space: nowrap; -} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - right: 4%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; -} - -.right { - text-align: right; -} - -.smaller { - font-size: 80%; -} - -.smcap { - font-variant: small-caps; - font-style: normal; -} - -.allsmcap { - font-variant: small-caps; - font-style: normal; - text-transform: lowercase; -} - -.titlepage { - text-align: center; - margin-top: 3em; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.x-ebookmaker img { - max-width: 100%; - width: auto; - height: auto; -} - -.x-ebookmaker .blockquote { - margin: auto 5%; -} - -/* Illustration classes */ -.illowp100 {width: 100%;} -.illowp50 {width: 50%;} -.x-ebookmaker .illowp50 {width: 100%;} -.illowp53 {width: 53%;} -.x-ebookmaker .illowp53 {width: 100%;} - /* ]]> */ </style> - </head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Brook and river trouting, by Harfield H. Edmonds</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Brook and river trouting</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>A manual of modern north country methods</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Authors: Harfield H. Edmonds</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;'>Norman N. Lee</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 26, 2022 [eBook #68846]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BROOK AND RIVER TROUTING ***</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="illus01" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption"><i>The Wharfe near Burnsall.</i></p> - <p class="caption"><i>Photo by Mr. L. A. Edmonds</i></p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span></p> - -<h1>BROOK AND RIVER<br /> -TROUTING</h1> - -<p class="titlepage">A Manual of modern North Country methods</p> - -<p class="titlepage">With Coloured Illustrations of Flies<br /> -and Fly-Dressing Materials</p> - -<p class="titlepage">By<br /> -<span class="allsmcap">HARFIELD H. EDMONDS<br /> -NORMAN N. LEE</span></p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller"><span class="smcap">Published by the Authors, 23, Bank Street, Bradford.</span><br /> -All rights reserved</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[4]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS.</h2> - -</div> - -<table> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdpg"><span class="smcap">Page.</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Preface</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#PREFACE">5</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Chapter I.</span> Flies. Table I. Table II. Dressings</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#Chapter_I">7</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Chapter II.</span> Fly Fishing. Wet-Fly Fishing. Dry-Fly Fishing</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#Chapter_II">31</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Chapter III.</span> Creeper and Stone Fly Fishing</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#Chapter_III">62</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Chapter IV.</span> Upstream Worm Fishing</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#Chapter_IV">69</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Chapter V.</span> Minnow Fishing</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#Chapter_V">91</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Index</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#INDEX">103</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> - -</div> - -<table> - <tr> - <td><a href="#illus01"><span class="smcap">Frontispiece</span></a>: The Wharfe near Burnsall</td> - <td class="tdpg"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Snipe’s Wing, Inner side</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus02">8</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Snipe’s Wing, Outer side</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus03">8</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Shades of Silk</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus04">10</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Drawings of Natural Flies</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus05">12</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Flies with Dressing Materials</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus06a">16 et seq.</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>A Typical Stretch</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus07">30</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Headwaters of the Aire</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus08">46</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Broken Water</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus09">60</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>The Head of the Dale</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus10">76</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>A Brook in Spring</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus11">96</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">PREFACE.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>When the writers began to take a practical interest -in trout fly dressing, they experienced great difficulty in -determining the correct feathers for the various patterns, -as the older books on the subject of North Country -flies are vague in the extreme. The few more modern -writers on wet flies, for want of precision, have done -little to help the beginner to a proper appreciation of -his materials. It was therefore felt that a book, which -not only prescribed the exact part of a bird from which -the correct feathers should be taken, but illustrated -such feathers and other materials (as also the flies made -therefrom), in colour, would be a help, at least to -beginners in the craft, and not merely an encumbrance -on angling literature.</p> - -<p>Having conceded the difficulties of the novice -wishing to dress his own flies, the question of the -number of patterns necessary for fishing the Rivers of -the North Country naturally came next for consideration. -As the tendency during recent years has been to increase -the number out of all reason and beyond practical<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span> -bounds, to the great bewilderment of the beginner and -the occasional fisherman, a list of flies has been drawn -up which, while it contains few patterns as compared -with many other lists, is yet wide enough to provide -for varying conditions the season through. The flies -are for the most part old friends, but for the above -reasons it is hoped they will not be unwelcome.</p> - -<p>The original scheme of this work was limited by -the foregoing considerations. But when the book had -been mapped out in a general form it became evident -that a description of the methods employed in fishing -North Country streams with success would not only -give point to what the writers had to say on flies, -but might be of interest to the majority of North -Country fishermen. It was therefore decided to enlarge -the scope of the work. The chapters on the various -methods of fishing the Rivers of the Northern Counties -are the outcome of practical experience, and as such it -is hoped they will be both useful and interesting.</p> - -<p>The authors desire to express their indebtedness to -Mrs. A. R. Gurney, Mr. L. A. Edmonds, and Mr. F. -Creedy for the photographs from which several of the -river scenes have been reproduced.</p> - -<p class="right">H. H. E.<br /> -N. N. L.</p> - -<p class="noindent">1916.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_I"><span class="smcap">Chapter I.</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">FLIES.</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>While it is the endeavour of this work to bring -the range of trout flies within reasonable and -practical limits and to describe no other than sound -practical dressings, there is no desire to limit experiment -either in patterns or numbers. In fact to do -so would take away one of the pleasantest features -of the pastime and rob many a winter’s evening of -its delight. All those who take an interest in fly -dressing should work from Nature wherever possible, -for flies frequently differ in no small degree in different -localities; and there is a great deal of enjoyment to -be obtained in dressing a fly with the natural insect -before one, and afterwards killing trout on the resulting -work of one’s hands.</p> - -<p>It is not intended to devote any space to the processes -of fly-tying, as much has been written on the subject. -The reader in search of information cannot do better -than read the late H. G. McClelland’s book, <i>The Trout -Fly Dresser’s Cabinet of Devices, or How to tie Flies<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span> -for Trout and Grayling Fishing</i>, which is the most -practical and exhaustive treatise on the subject known -to the writers.</p> - -<p>The illustrations, facing this page, of both sides -of a Snipe’s wing will show the reader the precise -places from which the various wing feathers, described -in the text, are taken, and while the descriptions of -the feathers may not satisfy the naturalist, they are -sufficient for the purposes of the writers.</p> - -<p>It is naturally of importance in fly-dressing to use -no hooks but the best, and it will be found that Hardy -Bros.’ tapered snecks are satisfactory in every respect, -except that they are on the long side. If about one-sixteenth -of an inch be cut off the shank with an old -pair of scissors before dressing the fly, a more useful -length will be attained, as artificial flies are much more -killing if kept short in the body. Stress is laid on this; -and it will be seen from the illustrations of the flies -that the tail ends of the bodies are not carried further -down the hook than half way between the point of the -hook and the point of the barb. For the two floating -Spinners, Hardy Bros.’ Dry Fly Eyed Hooks are -recommended. The numbers of the hooks given in -the text correspond with the numbers enumerated in -Hardy Bros.’ catalogue.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="illus02" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus02.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption"><i>Inner side</i></p> - -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="illus03" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus03.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption"><i>Outer side</i></p> - -</div> - -<p>The writers prefer to dress their flies to gut, 4x being the -most suitable grade; but good hair, if it can be obtained, -will be found delightful to fish with, as a cast made<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span> -from it falls so very lightly on the water; and, even -when the hair has become thoroughly soaked, the -droppers, unlike those tied to gut, have no tendency -to twist round the cast, but stand well out from it.</p> - -<p>The most satisfactory tying silk is Pearsall’s -“Gossamer,” which is standardized in shades. A -shade card is illustrated and the numbers appearing -after the various silks mentioned in the text correspond -with the numbers above the various shades illustrated.</p> - -<p>In dressing the flies the silk is in all cases waxed -with transparent wax; and, where it is stated that such -and such a silk is to be well waxed, the result should -be a shade or two darker than an ordinary waxing -would give.</p> - -<p>In the dressings of most of the winged flies it is -laid down that either the outer side or the inner side -of the quill feather used should in the finished article -appear as the “under side” of the wing of the artificial. -The reader will easily understand which is the “under -side” of the wing of the artificial if he remembers that -it is that side of the wing which would touch the water -if the fly were “spent” and floating thereon.</p> - -<p>Although the primary quill feathers are almost exclusively -recommended for the wings of most of the winged -patterns, the secondaries will often do equally well.</p> - -<p>The correct shade of dubbing for the bodies of -flies, where coloured dubbing is specified, can often be -obtained to most advantage by a mixture of two or<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span> -more shades. For instance, the dubbing for the -Winter Brown is a mixture of brown and maroon -wool, while the dubbing for the Green Insect is a -mixture of green and yellow wool.</p> - -<p>The silks forming the heads of the various flies are -of the same shade as the respective silks used for the -bodies unless otherwise stated; and it should be borne -in mind that the flies, particularly the hackle patterns, -must be dressed lightly, if one of the most distinctive -features of the North Country patterns is to be -preserved. In copying from Nature let the imitation -err on the small side if anything.</p> - -<p>No attempt has been made to reproduce in the -coloured plates either gold or silver wire or tinsel.</p> - -<p>When the river is “coloured,” flies dressed a size -larger than those employed under normal conditions -can be used with advantage.</p> - -<p>Although the seasons for the various flies are given, -they are approximate only, as districts frequently -vary one from another, and the lateness or otherwise -of a season naturally has an effect on the hatch, just -as it has on the roses in gardens. Often the March -Brown can be seen in the latter part of May, and -sometimes a particular fly, for no apparent reason, -will remain on the water for a longer time than usual. -The necessity of careful observation cannot therefore -be too strongly impressed, as observation will teach far -more than all the books that were ever written.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp50" id="illus04" style="max-width: 29.6875em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus04.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption"><i>Shades of Silk.</i></p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span></p> - -<p>The form of wing specified for the Spinners is -recommended to the attention of the reader, as being -a most practical form of wing for any winged pattern, -wet or dry, where transparency is the primary object. -To the writers it seems an improvement on the hackle -points now so popular for many flies, as it is free from -the objectionable and comparatively thick midrib of -the latter and it is a harder wearing dressing than the -older form. The development to which such newer -form of wing lends itself for other patterns than the -Spinners mentioned in the list at pages 24, 26 and -30 may be noted, and the field which is open for -experiment will be evident to the reader.</p> - -<p>Under the name of each fly, in giving its dressing, -the name of the order or family to which the natural -insect as represented by the artificial belongs will be -found, and opposite page 12 reproductions of typical -examples of each of the orders or families of natural -insects mentioned will be found, with the exception -of the Ant and Green Insect. The latter are so well -known as to need no illustration. The beginner -will therefore have an idea of the fly he is copying and -perhaps be able to identify it at the stream side. It -must not be forgotten however that certain patterns -represent more than one species of fly.</p> - -<p>It has been the good fortune of the writers to fish -on many waters; and while the Winter Brown has -often given them the first thrill of the season, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span> -the Green Insect accounted for fish when September -gusts have strewn the river with leaves and green -fly, they hope they have not grown dogmatic in their -views and opinions on matters piscatorial. Nevertheless -they are inclined to think that, the closer they -keep in shade and colour in their patterns to the -natural flies, the greater has been their success; for, -although they can recall occasions on which the fish -would rise at almost anything, such occasions have -been few and far apart; while the times when the -trout would only look at a particular fly of a particular -shade have been by far the more frequent in their -experience. Why deny fish the power to appreciate -variations of shade when they live in a world of colours, -and are clothed in such a beautiful and vari-coloured -mail? If trout can appreciate tones of colour, how -different a fly must appear to them in different lights -and with different backgrounds. Such natural variations -of surrounding light and landscape may have a -larger effect on “the bag” than many think.</p> - -<p>For easy reference two tables of flies are given. -One, in which are set down the flies in the order in -which they may generally be fished through the -season, with the approximate times of their use, and -the other, with the flies tabled under the various trout -fishing months.</p> - -<p>It remains only to add, that the taking fly should -be fished as point, <i>i.e.</i>, the fly farthest from the angler.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp50" id="illus05" style="max-width: 29.6875em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus05.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption"><i>Natural Flies of the Orders & Families named</i></p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span></p> - -<h3>TABLE I.</h3> - -<table> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">1.</td> - <td>Winter Brown</td> - <td>March to middle of April.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">2.</td> - <td>Waterhen Bloa</td> - <td>March to end of April and again in September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">3.</td> - <td>Greenwell’s Glory</td> - <td>March to first week in May and again in September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">4.</td> - <td>Spring Black</td> - <td>March and early April.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">5.</td> - <td>Dark Snipe</td> - <td>March to middle of April and again in September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">6.</td> - <td>Orange Partridge</td> - <td>March to middle of May.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">7.</td> - <td>Broughton’s Point</td> - <td>March to middle of April.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">8.</td> - <td>March Brown</td> - <td>April and often May.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">9.</td> - <td>Light Snipe</td> - <td>Middle of April to middle of May and again in September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">10.</td> - <td>Dark Needle</td> - <td>Middle of April to end of June and again in September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">11.</td> - <td>Brown Owl</td> - <td>Latter part of April to end of June.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">12.</td> - <td>Olive Bloa</td> - <td>Latter part of April and throughout May.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">13.</td> - <td>Dark Watchet</td> - <td>Last week in April and throughout May and sometimes early June.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">14.</td> - <td>Yellow Partridge</td> - <td>May to middle of June.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">15.</td> - <td>Light Needle</td> - <td>May, June and July.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">16.</td> - <td>Yellow-Legged Bloa</td> - <td>May to end of June.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">17.</td> - <td>Dotterel</td> - <td>Middle of May to end of Season.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">18.</td> - <td>Poult Bloa</td> - <td>Middle of May to middle of July.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">19.</td> - <td>Gravel Bed</td> - <td>Middle of May to end of June.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">20.</td> - <td>Stone Midge</td> - <td>Middle of May to end of June.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">21.</td> - <td>Knotted Midge</td> - <td>Middle of May to end of July.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">22.</td> - <td>Black Gnat</td> - <td>Middle of May to end of August.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">23.</td> - <td class="nw">Ginger Spinner (Wet)</td> - <td>June, July and August.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">24.</td> - <td>Dark Sedge</td> - <td>Middle of June to the end of the Season.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">25.</td> - <td>Light Sedge</td> - <td>Middle of June to the end of the Season.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">26.</td> - <td>Red Spinner (Wet)</td> - <td>July, August and September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">27.</td> - <td>July Dun</td> - <td>July and August.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">28.</td> - <td>Rough-Bodied Poult</td> - <td>July, August and September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">29.</td> - <td>Pale Watery Dun</td> - <td>Middle of July to the end of September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">30.</td> - <td>Light Silverhorns</td> - <td>Middle of July to the end of August.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">31.</td> - <td>Dark Silverhorns</td> - <td>Middle of July to the end of August.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">32.</td> - <td>August Dun</td> - <td>Last week in July, August and September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">33.</td> - <td>Ant</td> - <td>August to second week in September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">34.</td> - <td>Green Insect</td> - <td>August and September.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">35.</td> - <td>Ginger Spinner (Dry)</td> - <td>June, July and August.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">36.</td> - <td>Red Spinner (Dry)</td> - <td>July, August and September.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<h3>TABLE II.</h3> - -<ul> -<li class="ifrst"><span class="smcap">March.</span></li> -<li>Winter Brown.</li> -<li>Waterhen Bloa.</li> -<li>Greenwell’s Glory.</li> -<li>Spring Black.</li> -<li>Dark Snipe.</li> -<li>Orange Partridge.</li> -<li>Broughton’s Point.</li> -<li class="ifrst"><span class="smcap">April.</span></li> -<li>Winter Brown.</li> -<li>Waterhen Bloa.</li> -<li>Greenwell’s Glory.</li> -<li>Spring Black.</li> -<li>Dark Snipe.</li> -<li>Orange Partridge.</li> -<li>Broughton’s Point.</li> -<li>March Brown.</li> -<li>Light Snipe.</li> -<li>Dark Needle.</li> -<li>Brown Owl.</li> -<li>Olive Bloa.</li> -<li>Dark Watchet.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span></li> -<li class="ifrst"><span class="smcap">May.</span></li> -<li>Greenwell’s Glory.</li> -<li>Orange Partridge.</li> -<li>March Brown.</li> -<li>Light Snipe.</li> -<li>Dark Needle.</li> -<li>Brown Owl.</li> -<li>Olive Bloa.</li> -<li>Dark Watchet.</li> -<li>Yellow Partridge.</li> -<li>Light Needle.</li> -<li>Yellow-Legged Bloa.</li> -<li>Dotterel.</li> -<li>Poult Bloa.</li> -<li>Gravel Bed.</li> -<li>Stone Midge.</li> -<li>Knotted Midge.</li> -<li>Black Gnat.</li> -<li class="ifrst"><span class="smcap">June.</span></li> -<li>Dark Needle.</li> -<li>Brown Owl.</li> -<li>Dark Watchet.</li> -<li>Yellow Partridge.</li> -<li>Light Needle.</li> -<li>Yellow-Legged Bloa.</li> -<li>Dotterel.</li> -<li>Poult Bloa.</li> -<li>Gravel Bed.</li> -<li>Stone Midge.</li> -<li>Knotted Midge.</li> -<li>Black Gnat.</li> -<li>Ginger Spinner (Wet and Dry).</li> -<li>Dark Sedge.</li> -<li>Light Sedge.</li> -<li class="ifrst"><span class="smcap">July.</span></li> -<li>Light Needle.</li> -<li>Dotterel.</li> -<li>Poult Bloa.</li> -<li>Knotted Midge.</li> -<li>Black Gnat.</li> -<li>Ginger Spinner (Wet and Dry).</li> -<li>Dark Sedge.</li> -<li>Light Sedge.</li> -<li>Red Spinner (Wet and Dry).</li> -<li>July Dun.</li> -<li>Rough-Bodied Poult.</li> -<li>Pale Watery Dun.</li> -<li>Light Silverhorns.</li> -<li>Dark Silverhorns.</li> -<li>August Dun.</li> -<li class="ifrst"><span class="smcap">August.</span></li> -<li>Dotterel.</li> -<li>Black Gnat.</li> -<li>Ginger Spinner (Wet and Dry).</li> -<li>Dark Sedge.</li> -<li>Light Sedge.</li> -<li>Red Spinner (Wet and Dry).</li> -<li>July Dun.</li> -<li>Rough-bodied Poult.</li> -<li>Pale Watery Dun.</li> -<li>Light Silverhorns.</li> -<li>Dark Silverhorns.</li> -<li>August Dun.</li> -<li>Ant.</li> -<li>Green Insect.</li> -<li class="ifrst"><span class="smcap">September.</span></li> -<li>Waterhen Bloa.</li> -<li>Greenwell’s Glory.</li> -<li>Dark Snipe.</li> -<li>Light Snipe.</li> -<li>Dark Needle.</li> -<li>Dotterel.</li> -<li>Dark Sedge.</li> -<li>Light Sedge.</li> -<li>Red Spinner (Wet and Dry).</li> -<li>Rough-bodied Poult.</li> -<li>Pale Watery Dun.</li> -<li>August Dun.</li> -<li>Ant.</li> -<li>Green Insect.</li> -</ul> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span></p> - -<h3>DRESSINGS.</h3> - -<h4>WET FLIES.</h4> - -<h5>No. 1.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Winter Brown.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Perlidæ</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1 or 2.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a greyish feather, barred, from the under -coverts of a Woodcock’s wing. (The lighter side of the -feather towards the head of the fly).</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Orange silk, No. 6a, dubbed with ruddy brown wool, the -three turns next the tail showing distinct orange.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Bronze Peacock herl.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">March to middle of April.</p> - -<h5>No. 2.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Waterhen Bloa.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1 or 2.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a smoky grey feather from the under -coverts of a Waterhen’s wing. (The darker side of the feather -towards the head of the fly).</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with Mole’s fur.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Yellow silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">March to end of April, and again in September.</p> - -<h5>No. 3.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Greenwell’s Glory.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1 or 2.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From a hen Blackbird’s primary quill feather, bunched -and split.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4, well waxed, ribbed with four turns of -fine gold wire or tinsel.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Cochybondu Hen’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Yellow silk, well waxed.</p> - -</div> - -<p>March to first week in May, and again in September, -although, by dressing with a lighter wing, body and hackle, the -fly can be used during the intervening months.</p> - -<h5>No. 4.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Spring Black.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Diptera (gnat).</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a black Cock’s hackle or a blue black feather -from an adult Starling’s neck.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Purple silk, No. 8, dubbed sparingly with Magpie herl.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Purple silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">March and early April.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="illus06a" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus06a.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption">1 2 3 4</p> - -</div> - -<h5>No. 5.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Dark Snipe or Snipe and Purple.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with the dark feather from the marginal coverts -of a Snipe’s wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Purple silk, No. 8.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Purple silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">March to middle of April, and again in September.</p> - -<h5>No. 6.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Orange Partridge.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Perlidæ and Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a brown mottled (not barred) feather from -a Partridge’s neck, or back.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Orange silk, No. 6a, or orange silk, No. 6a, ribbed with -about four turns of gold wire or tinsel.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Orange silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">March to middle of May.</p> - -<h5>No. 7.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Broughton’s Point or Dark Bloa.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1 or 2.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From a Starling’s primary quill feather, the outer side -of the feather as the under side of the wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Claret silk, No. 13.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—A black Hen’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Claret silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">March to middle of April.</p> - -<h5>No. 8a.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">March Brown.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 2 or 3.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From a quill feather from a Partridge’s tail, greyish in -tone, the top side of the feather as the under side of the wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Orange silk, No. 6a, dubbed with sandy fur taken from -near the base of a Hare’s ear and ribbed with yellow silk, No. 4.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands from a Partridge’s tail, same feather as the -one used for the wings.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Greyish brown feather from a Partridge’s back.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Orange silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">April and often May.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="illus06b" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus06b.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption">5 6 7 8<span class="allsmcap">A</span></p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span></p> - -<h5>No. 8b.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">March Brown.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 2 or 3.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a mottled brown feather from a Snipe’s rump.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Orange silk, No. 6a, dubbed with fur from the nape of a -Rabbit’s neck which has been lightly tinged red with Crawshaw’s -Red Spinner dye, and ribbed with gold wire or tinsel.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands from a feather from a Snipe’s rump, same -feather as is used for the wings.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Orange silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">April, and often May.</p> - -<h5>No. 9.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Light Snipe or Snipe Bloa.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a bluish feather from the under coverts of a -Snipe’s wing. (The lighter side of the feather towards the -head of the fly).</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Yellow silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of April to middle of May, and again in September.</p> - -<h5>No. 10.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Dark Needle.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Perlidæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a brownish feather taken from where the -hinder part of a Starling’s wing joins the body, (There are -only about four of these feathers on each side of the bird.) -or with a brownish feather from the back of a Swift.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Orange brown silk, No. 6b.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Magpie herl.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of April to the end of June, and again in September.</p> - -<h5>No. 11.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Brown Owl.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Trichoptera.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a reddish brown feather from the lesser -coverts of a Tawny or Brown Owl’s wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Orange silk, No. 6a.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Bronze Peacock herl.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Latter part of April to end of June.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="illus06c" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus06c.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption">8<span class="allsmcap">B</span> 9 10 11</p> - -</div> - -<h5>No. 12.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Olive Bloa.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with an olive green feather from a Green Plover’s -neck.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4, well waxed.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Orange brown silk, No. 6b.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Latter part of April and throughout May.</p> - -<h5>No. 13a.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Dark Watchet or Iron Blue Dun.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 00.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a dark smoky blue feather from a Jackdaw’s -throat.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Orange and purple silk, Nos. 6a and 8, twisted together, -dubbed very sparingly with Mole’s fur and wound on the body -so that the orange and purple show in alternate bands.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Orange silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Last week in April and throughout May, and sometimes early -June. Particularly for dull days.</p> - -<h5>No. 13b.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Dark Watchet or Iron Blue Dun.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 00.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From the darkish blue feather from a Blue Tit’s tail, -bunched and split.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Same as No. 13a.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands from a medium grizzled blue Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Feather from a young Starling’s thigh or flank.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Orange silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Last week in April and throughout May, and sometimes early -June. For brighter days.</p> - -<h5>No. 14.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Yellow Partridge.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Perlidæ and Diptera (Crane-fly).</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a greyish feather barely tinged with brown, -from a Partridge’s back.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Yellow silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">May to middle of June.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="illus06d" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus06d.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption">12 13<span class="allsmcap">A</span> 13<span class="allsmcap">B</span> 14</p> - -</div> - -<h5>No. 15.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Light Needle.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Perlidæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a feather from a young Starling’s thigh -or flank.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Orange silk, No. 6a.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Orange silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">May, June and July.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span></p> - -<h5>No. 16.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Yellow-Legged Bloa.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From a young Starling’s light primary quill feather, the -outer side of the feather as the under side of the wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Primrose yellow silk, No. 3.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands from a very pale ginger Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—A Cock’s hackle dyed a rich primrose yellow.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Primrose yellow silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">May to end of June.</p> - -<h5>No. 17.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Dotterel.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a light-tipped fawnish feather from the -marginal coverts or lesser coverts of a Dotterel’s wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Orange silk, No. 6, or primrose yellow silk, No. 3.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Orange silk, or primrose yellow silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p>If the Dotterel feather is unobtainable a feather from the -under coverts of a young Starling’s wing makes a fair substitute.</p> - -<p class="center">Middle of May to end of Season.</p> - -<h5>No. 18.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Poult Bloa.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a light blue feather from the under coverts -of a young Grouse wing, taken before the bird is strong on the -wing. (The lighter side of the feather towards the head of -the fly.) This feather darkens very rapidly on the live bird -from August onwards.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Primrose yellow silk, No. 3.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Primrose yellow silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of May to middle of July.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="illus06e" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus06e.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption">15 16 17 18</p> - -</div> - -<h5>No. 19.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Gravel Bed.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Diptera</span> (Crane-fly).</p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a greyish feather, lightly tinged with brown, -from a Partridge’s neck.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Blue silk, No. 7, dubbed with blue-grey fur from the flank -of an Opossum.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Blue silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of May to end of June. A useful fly in a coloured water.</p> - -<h5>No. 20.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Stone Midge.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Diptera</span> (Gnat).</p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 00.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with an olive green feather from a Green Plover’s -neck.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Grey silk, No. 9a, well waxed, or ash-coloured silk, No. 10, -but in both cases dubbed sparingly with bluey-grey Heron herl.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Magpie herl.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of May to end of June.</p> - -<h5>No. 21.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Knotted Midge.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Diptera</span> (Gnat).</p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 00.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings</span>.—Hackled down the body “palmerwise” with a small -black Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Ash-coloured silk, No. 10, dubbed with dark Heron herl.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Magpie herl.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of May to end of July.</p> - -<p class="center">For close days.</p> - -<h5>No. 22.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Black Gnat.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Diptera</span> (Gnat).</p> - -<p class="center">Hook 00.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—A few fibres from a light blue Hen’s hackle put on as a -single wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Black silk, No. 9.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Rusty black Hen’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Black silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of May to end of August.</p> - -<p class="center">For close days.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="illus06f" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus06f.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption">19 20 21 22</p> - -</div> - -<h5>No. 23.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ginger Spinner.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Fibres of light grizzled blue Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Flat gold wire with a wrapping over it of orange silk, No. -6, the silk to be untwisted and only one or two strands used.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands from a ginger Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Ginger Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Orange silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">June, July and August.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span></p> - -<h5>No. 24.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Dark Sedge.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Trichoptera.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1 or 2.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a reddish brown feather from the lesser -coverts of a Tawny or Brown Owl’s wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with brownish fawn Seal’s fur.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Brownish green herl from the tail of a cock Pheasant.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of June to end of the Season.</p> - -<h5>No. 25a.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Light Sedge.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Trichoptera.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1 or 2.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a light-barred reddish feather, from the -lesser coverts of a Landrail’s wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with reddish fur from the thigh -of a Squirrel.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—A reddish herl from the tail of a cock Pheasant.</p> - -</div> - -<p>Middle of June to the end of the Season.</p> - -<h5>No. 25b.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Light Sedge.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Trichoptera.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1 or 2.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From a light barred reddish feather, from the lesser -coverts of a Landrail’s wing (a larger feather than the one -used for No. 25a), the outer side of the feather as the outside -of the wing. Wings put on “penthouse” fashion.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Same as No. 25a.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Reddish feather from the marginal coverts of a Landrail’s -wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Same as No. 25a.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of June to the end of the Season.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="illus06g" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus06g.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption">23 24 25<span class="allsmcap">A</span> 25<span class="allsmcap">B</span></p> - -</div> - -<h5>No. 26.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Red Spinner.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Fibres of medium grizzled blue Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Red silk, No. 12, dubbed with maroon wool and ribbed -with four turns of fine gold wire or tinsel.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands from a deep red Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Deep red Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Red silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">July, August and September.</p> - -<h5>No. 27.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">July Dun.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From a Coot’s primary quill feather, the outer side of -the feather as the under side of the wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed sparingly with Mole’s fur.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands from a medium olive Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Medium olive Hen’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Yellow silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">July and August.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span></p> - -<h5>No. 28.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rough-Bodied Poult.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a light blue feather from the under coverts -of a young Grouse wing, taken before the bird is strong on the -wing. (The lighter side of the feather towards the head of -the fly.) This feather darkens very rapidly on the live bird -from August onwards.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Straw-coloured silk, No. 2, dubbed sparingly with buff fur -from the flank of an Opossum.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Straw-coloured silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">July, August and September.</p> - -<h5>No. 29.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Pale Watery Dun.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From a young Starling’s light primary quill feather, the -inner side of the feather as the under side of the wing.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with palest buff fur from the -flank of an Oppossum.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands from palest ginger Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Light blue Hen’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Yellow silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of July to the end of September.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="illus06h" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus06h.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption">26 27 28 29</p> - -</div> - -<h5>No. 30.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Light Silverhorns.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Trichoptera.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From a Thrush’s secondary quill feather, the outer side -of the feather as the outside of the wing, or from a Landrail’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span> -primary quill feather, the outer side of the feather as the -outside of the wing. Wings put on “penthouse” fashion.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Ash-coloured silk, No. 10, sparingly dubbed with reddish -grey fur from the thigh of a Squirrel.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Feather from a young Starling’s thigh or flank.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Ash-coloured silk.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Antennæ.</span>—Two strands from a black and white feather from a -Mallard’s breast.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of July to the end of August.</p> - -<h5>No. 31.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Dark Silverhorns.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Trichoptera.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 1.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From a Waterhen’s primary quill feather, the outer side -of the feather as the outside of the wing. Wings put on -“penthouse” fashion.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Black silk, No. 9, dubbed very sparingly with Mole’s fur -and ribbed with olive silk, No. 11.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Black Cock’s hackle or Green Plover’s topping.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Black silk.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Antennæ</span>.—Two strands from a black and white feather from a -Mallard’s breast.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Middle of July to the end of August.</p> - -<h5>No. 32.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">August Dun.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 2.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—From a Mallard’s breast feather, lightly tinged with -brown.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with yellow olive wool and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span> -ribbed with orange silk, No. 6, sparingly spun with fur from -the nape of a Rabbit’s neck which has been lightly tinged red -with Crawshaw’s Red Spinner dye.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands from a medium olive Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Medium olive Hen’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Yellow silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">Last week in July, August and September.</p> - -<h5>No. 33.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ant.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Hymenoptera.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a light blue Hen’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Orange brown silk, No. 6b, dressed full at the tail with -bronze Peacock herl, then a few turns of the silk towards the -head, then dressed full at the shoulder with bronze Peacock -herl.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Orange brown silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">August to second week in September.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="illus06i" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus06i.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption">30 31 32 33</p> - -</div> - -<h5>No. 34.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Green Insect.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aphides.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 00 or 000.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Hackled with a light blue Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with bright green olive wool.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Yellow silk.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">August and September. Particularly on gusty days.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span></p> - -<h4>DRY FLIES.</h4> - -<h5>No. 35.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ginger Spinner.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 1, eyed.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Fibres of light grizzled blue Cock’s hackle dressed “spent.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body.</span>—Light cinnamon quill.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands from a ginger Cock’s hackle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Ginger Cock’s hackle, two turns at the most, as the fly must -be dressed lightly.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head</span>.—Orange silk, No. 6.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">June, July and August.</p> - -<h5>No. 36.</h5> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Red Spinner.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ephemeridæ.</span></p> - -<p class="center">Hook 0 or 1, eyed.</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Wings.</span>—Fibres of medium grizzled blue Cock’s hackle dressed -“spent.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Body</span>.—Red quill.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tail.</span>—Two strands of Gallina, dyed red brown.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Legs.</span>—Deep red Cock’s hackle, two turns at the most, as the fly -must be dressed lightly.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Head.</span>—Red silk, No. 12.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center">July, August and September.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="illus06j" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus06j.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption">34 35 36</p> - -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="illus07" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus07.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption"><i>A Typical Stretch</i></p> - <p class="caption"><i>Photo by Mrs. A. R. Gurney</i></p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_II"><span class="smcap">Chapter II.</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">FLY FISHING.</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>So much has already been written on fly fishing -by men of wide and varied experience, that it -is with no little diffidence the writers approach the -subject. Yet the more thoroughly the whole art of -trout fishing is explored, the more engrossing does it -become, and, as experience is gained, the more evident -it appears that little is really known and that a vast -field still remains open for investigation.</p> - -<p>It is not intended to try in this chapter to teach -the art of fly fishing, as more can be learned by observation, -perseverance and practice on the river, than by -reading all that was ever written on the subject; but -it is desired, by emphasizing a few essential points, to -help the novice through his initial difficulties.</p> - -<p>Some anglers who are only able to devote a few -weeks during the season to their pastime are content -to go to the local tackle dealer or the professional -fisherman and to rely entirely on his advice. While -it is always well to consult the “local men”—quaint<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span> -characters for the most part and many of them cobblers -by trade—it is often a mistake to rely entirely upon -them; for, if a man’s ambition be to get out of the -rut and to kill fish under difficult conditions, he must -think for himself.</p> - -<p>The “local man” often has a strong partiality for -certain patterns of flies, no matter what the conditions. -Only recently the writers came across a most glaring -example of this particular tendency, which is perhaps -worth mentioning in order to illustrate their point. -Arriving at the river one September afternoon, they -noticed on the opposite bank the local professional, -who is held in very high esteem as a fisherman. He -certainly casts as neat a line as the writers have ever -seen thrown. In answer to their enquiry, “What -sport?”, they received the reply, “A few,” and were -more than a little astonished to learn that he was -using flies which, in their opinion, were more suitable -for the end of July. It is always a pleasure to see this -man cast, so they sat down and watched him. Time -after time he put his flies in the most beautiful manner -over rising fish, but without result, although the water -was coloured and the fish continued to rise steadily. -Soon one showed within casting distance of the bank on -which the writers were seated, so a fly was immediately -put over him and was accepted at the first offer. -Earlier that day there had been a large hatch of Dark -Needles, and it was an imitation of that insect which<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span> -induced the rise. Alternately the writers threw over -rising fish with more or less success; but the professional, -who persevered for another half-hour without changing -his flies, at last gave up in disgust. For the time -being at least he was beaten. Not that he did not know -the river or understand the habits of the trout—both -were to him as an open book—but simply because he -was deficient in his knowledge of insect life. This man -probably knew some ten or a dozen good all-round -flies which he used the season through, but without -due regard to the hatch of natural insects.</p> - -<p>Now put yourself in the professional’s position on -that particular day, only add to his knowledge that -of insect life. On finding your flies rejected, you would -have picked from off the water, and examined, the -natural insects which were floating down; then, -immediately realizing what was amiss, you would -have substituted an imitation of the taking fly for one -on your cast. Success would have followed failure, -and a light-hearted angler would have tramped homewards -at sunset with a creel the heavier for his practical -knowledge.</p> - -<p>From the foregoing it will be gathered that the novice -should make it his first duty to study on every possible -occasion the insect life of the river he is going to -fish, and not merely rely upon the tackle dealer -or professional to supply his deficiency in this, or -indeed in other matters. By this let it not be<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span> -thought that the writers consider it necessary to go -deeply into the study of entomology, fascinating as -that study is; but if the greatest amount of pleasure -is to be derived, and incidentally a fair number of fish -to be killed, it is essential that the angler should arm -himself with a good general knowledge of river insect life.</p> - -<p>A great deal in this direction can be learned by an -occasional emptying of a trout’s stomach into a glass -of water, and an examination of the <i>débris</i> after they -have been separated by a brisk stir round. It is most -instructive, and it shows how catholic fish are in their -feeding. It shows too, not infrequently, the reasons -for a poor day’s sport, and often gives a hint which -may turn failure into success on some future occasion.</p> - -<p>Though a knowledge of insect life is highly important, -it is equally necessary to learn to adapt -oneself to varying conditions.</p> - -<p>This latter point may at the first glance appear -unnecessarily elementary, so much so as to seem -hardly worth making, but speaking from personal -experience, the writers think that, probably on account -of its very obviousness, it often receives far less attention -than it deserves.</p> - -<p>How many anglers, after working the long winter -through begin, as the trout season draws near, to let their -thoughts wander to some favourite stream and live -for days, aye, almost weeks, in anticipation of the -opening day? They conjure up in their minds all the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span> -details that have gone to make up some red-letter day -in the past, the whole scene comes up as fresh as -ever, and memory, ever willing, gives them a most -vivid picture of the pool in which the fish of the -season put up his last gallant struggle. They recall -those exciting moments when the strength of the cast -was taxed to its utmost as the fish wildly endeavoured -to reach the roots of an overhanging tree, and the -joyful feeling of power that crept over them when at -last the lusty trout, having somewhat spent himself, -allowed them to regain a foot or two of line. Then -came that last mad rush when the captive perceived -the net.</p> - -<p>These memories are happy indeed, though often -enough they lead one astray, as, when the eve of the -opening day arrives, one has probably definitely -decided to begin operations at the exact pool that was -the scene of one’s former success. Is this adapting -oneself to circumstances? It can hardly be so, and -yet probably very few can say that they have never -fallen a victim to such foolishness.</p> - -<p>The wise man waits until the morrow, when he can -see how the wind strikes his favourite stream or reach, -whether the water is too high or too low, and whether -the sport that it normally might be expected to yield -is going to be adversely affected by any other condition. -If so, even though disappointed, he will find -a more suitable place at which to begin and no doubt<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span> -at the end of the day his creel will reveal the reward of -his adaptability to circumstance.</p> - -<p>The consideration of adaptability to circumstance -naturally brings one to a classification and subsequent -subdivision of the methods of fly fishing, which methods, -judiciously and intelligently combined, make for the -true road to success.</p> - -<p>Fly fishing may be practised in two principal ways, -with the wet fly and with the dry fly.</p> - -<p>In the former, as the name implies, the flies are -fished slightly submerged; and three or sometimes four -flies may be used on the cast. They are placed some 20 -inches or so apart, but varied as to distance according -to the state of the river, greater distance between -them being necessary, and fewer flies being used, in -low clear water. In dry-fly fishing, as perhaps it is -unnecessary to state, only one fly is used, and it is -made to float by being whipped through the air after -each cast, so as to shake off any globules of water that -may be attached to the feathers, a process which is -generally assisted by the fly being lightly touched with -oil before use.</p> - -<p>Before going further it is as well to say a few words -regarding the rod and tackle. The length of rod the -writers find most useful is 10 ft. 6 ins., and, if it is to -be used for wet-fly fishing exclusively, they would -unhesitatingly recommend a two-piece rod made of -greenheart, or of hickory for the butt, with greenheart<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span> -top, not too whippy and not too stiff. Such a rod is -softer in the action and less tiring to the wrist than -one made of split cane. That is a matter well worth -consideration when one is whipping the stream for -long periods at a stretch.</p> - -<p>For dry-fly fishing however, and general use, and -for almost unending wear, a split-cane rod by one of -the first-class makers will probably best suit the -requirements of the average man; only in selecting -the rod, of whatever pattern, great care should be -devoted to getting one which, with reel and line -attached, will make a harmonious whole. If the rod -be a split cane, it should be rather more whippy than -the average type in use on Chalk streams. These -points should be carefully attended to, otherwise the -beginner, after working for an hour or so, will find -his wrist growing tired, and he will then get into a -slovenly way of casting, which is easier to learn than -to unlearn.</p> - -<p>Regarding the reel, line and cast, we should recommend, -if the reader is buying his rod from a man of -practical experience, that he leaves the first two to -the maker’s discretion. He will then no doubt get -both reel and line of suitable weight for the rod. The -cast should be approximately three yards, tapered, -the last yard being of finest drawn gut for ordinary -waters, but a coarser cast may be used when fishing -a full or slightly coloured water. A good cast for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span> -ordinary waters can be made of ten strands of gut, -each strand either 12 or 14 inches in length and tapered -as follows:—First two strands of Quarter drawn, then -two strands of Half drawn, then three strands of 2x, -and finally three strands of 4x.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Wet-Fly Fishing.</span></h3> - -<p>It is with wet-fly fishing that it is proposed to deal -first, as this method is by far the more important on -the majority of North Country rivers, the dry fly -being a useful auxiliary under conditions to be detailed -later.</p> - -<p>Why, it may be asked, should the fish be more partial -to the wet fly than to the dry fly on Northern streams. -The reason is not far to seek; for, owing to the roughness -and rapidity of such rivers, a large percentage of insects, -as they rise from the bed of the river preparatory to -hatching out, are carried many yards downstream -before they reach the surface of the water. Others, -getting into rough water, find themselves unequal to -the effort of emerging from their nymphal case, or -emerge with wetted and helpless wings, while many -flies, surviving these natural difficulties, are carried -down some rapid almost immediately after they reach -the perfect state, and get water-logged before ever they -have the opportunity of using their wings. Hence the -trout become used to taking much of their insect food -in a submerged or partially submerged state. Therefore<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span> -so long as those streams remain as heretofore, the -wet fly is likely to continue to hold the premier position -in the filling of a North Countryman’s creel.</p> - -<p>There are two methods of fishing the wet fly, upstream -and downstream. Follows an attempt to give -a brief outline of how and when each method may be -used to the best advantage.</p> - -<p>The use of the word “downstream” in this connection -is, perhaps, somewhat misleading, for it is not -intended to refer to that method of fishing in which the -angler casts his flies across and downstream, allowing -the current to sweep them round to a point below -him, in the same manner as when fishing the salmon -fly. To fish an imitation of a natural insect in such -a way as to make it resist the onward flow of the -water in a most unnatural manner, is, in the -writers’ judgment, unsound, and they wish it to be -understood that, by “downstream,” they do not allude -to this manner of fishing.</p> - -<p>The downstream method advocated might quite -appropriately be termed across-stream fishing, as the -angler faces the bank towards which he purposes -fishing, casts across and slightly upstream, then -allows the flies to be carried without drag till they -reach a point a few yards below where they alighted -upon the water. Wading downstream a yard or more, -he repeats the cast, until the whole stream has been -worked in this manner. The only reason for the term<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span> -“downstream” being used in connection with this -class of fishing is that the angler himself works down -the river.</p> - -<p>The next question for consideration is, when is -downstream fishing advisable? It may truly be -answered, “Not often,” for its practice might be -confined to strong and full waters, to waters tinged -with colour, to cold Spring days before and after the -hatch, to evening fishing in such places as have the -river flowing towards the sunset, and, lastly, to -occasions when a heavy downstream wind or the -nature of the country leaves the angler no choice.</p> - -<p>The enthusiast frequently finds himself on the river -bank on a Spring morning long before the sun’s rays -have warmed the air, or any sign of insect life is visible. -With experience he will find that at such times the -trout are not in the heavy rapid streams, but may -be looked for in steady flowing water.</p> - -<p>A favourite place, which the writers would never -pass by on such an occasion, is formed when a stream -some two feet deep flows gently along the edge of a -bank, and particularly if the bank be overhung, or -other natural causes make it a harbour or refuge for -the stream’s inhabitants.</p> - -<p>Let the novice who finds himself, cold Spring -weather prevailing, at the top of such a stream, cast -in the manner described across, but slightly upstream, -towards such bank. As the flies are carried down, let<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span> -him vibrate the point of his rod slightly by an up and -down motion in order to make his flies appear as though -they were struggling to reach the surface of the water. -Ten to one before the stream is fished out a sharp pluck -will be felt, but the beginner, unprepared, will in many -cases leave his fly in the fish or miss him altogether. -The hooking of trout under such conditions is difficult -in the extreme, as frequently no rise is seen; and it is -only by perseverance, leading to appreciation of the -moment to strike, that he can hope to succeed.</p> - -<p>To teach in theory the correct method and timing -of the strike under such conditions, is beyond the -writers. The knowledge seems to come to the persevering -almost as a sixth sense. At times it is -positively uncanny to watch an “artist,” in his -instinctive response to the rises of fish under the -conditions described, for they are totally invisible to -the average man.</p> - -<p>Practice, coupled with intelligent reasoning out of -the whys and wherefores of success and failure, will -do more to help the novice than anything else. But, -even with the rod in the hands of a past-master, this -method of downstream fishing will not always succeed, -though the waiting hour before the rise may often be -well spent in giving these tactics a trial.</p> - -<p>As soon, however, as the first insects floating on the -surface have been noticed by the fish, the time has -come to change methods and to fish upstream.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span></p> - -<p>Upstream fishing is far more difficult than downstream -fishing, and the initial efforts will prove -disheartening. Rise after rise will be missed, and the -flies will be swept to the feet of the angler almost -before he has seen where they lit. It is nevertheless -all important that the novice should school himself in -this branch of fly fishing beyond any other, as upon it -will depend his future success.</p> - -<p>The education of the angler who has only mastered -downstream fishing, or even dry-fly fishing, is -incomplete; and, though the dry-fly purist may -shrug his shoulders at the remark, it is not too much -to say that, if he were transferred from the pellucid -waters of the Chalk stream to some rapid broken river -of the North, and were to endeavour to fish the wet -fly, it would be some considerable time before he -achieved any great success. Whereas the man who -has once thoroughly mastered the art of fishing the -wet fly <i>upstream</i> would be able quickly to adapt himself -to the conditions and surroundings of the home -of the dry fly.</p> - -<p>Scoffers have often termed wet-fly fishing in general -the “chuck and chance it” method, but those -who thus described it can never have seen an expert -at work fishing upstream. There is no such thing as -“chuck and chance it” in the way he throws his -flies. Every cast is made to a definite point, not -necessarily to a rising fish, as in dry-fly fishing, but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span> -successively to each of the many little runs, eddies, -channels, and slack waters behind boulders, which his -experience teaches are likely to hold feeding fish. It -is just the experience gained by such definite fishing -that the dry-fly purist who throws to none but feeding -fish would lack, if he overcame his prejudices and -essayed to throw the wet fly on Northern waters.</p> - -<p>The obvious natural law which causes fish to lie -head upstream should convince the reader that no -undue stress has been laid upon the importance of -fishing upstream, and that that method should be -rigidly adhered to on all occasions, except those -previously mentioned.</p> - -<p>That trout have exceptionally keen eyesight, no one -who has ever walked along the banks of a trout stream -will deny. How then can the least thoughtful expect -to creel decent fish with the river in normal condition, -if he stands with the fish below him, or, for that matter, -stands anywhere within their very wide range of -vision, a range so wide that, if a circle be described -with the head of a trout for the centre, only about -one-sixth of the circumference of such a circle, and that -immediately behind, would appear to be outside the -range of vision of the fish?</p> - -<p>From these well-known facts it will be obvious, even -to the uninitiated, that the best approach for the -angler bent on capturing trout in clear water is from -behind. Yet, astonishing as it may seem (and for the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span> -simple reason that it is the easier way), many men—we -might almost say the majority of men—invariably -fish their flies across and downstream, letting the -flies sweep right round until they are directly below, -where they are often allowed to dangle in the water -at the end of a taut line.</p> - -<p>To fish downstream in this manner requires no particular -skill, as the stream does most of the work; -and, while the great majority of fish risen are merely -pricked and lost, those caught are below the average -of size for the river fished. If the beginner is having -a bad day and everything is going wrong, if he grows -tired with his efforts to fish upstream and is tempted -to resort to this method, rather than do so, let him -knock off for a while and smoke a pipe, and then return, -with renewed hope and vigour, to his upstream fishing, -determined to master it.</p> - -<p>Now it frequently happens that the angler wading -upstream gets almost up to, or at any rate within two -or three yards of a fish, before ever his presence is -noticed. There is therefore in general little necessity -to use a long line when fishing upstream, yet it is often -done.</p> - -<p>Frequently anglers are met who say that they cannot -fish upstream, urging, by way of excuse, that they have -difficulty in seeing fish rise, which causes late striking, -the fish being missed entirely, or, at the most, only -turned over. Of course it is difficult to see a rise, or<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span> -to strike a fish, in a rapid stream if a long line is used, -and in the majority of these cases the reason for -failure is to be found in the use of too long a line.</p> - -<p>Therefore the novice who is bent on mastering -fly-fishing upstream can almost dismiss from his -mind <i>the first part</i> of the “far off and fine” theory. -In practice it will be found that, for fishing strong -flowing streams, a line (including the cast) but little -longer than the rod is ample; while for fishing the more -gently flowing shallow water at the edges of such -streams, another yard or two of line will be necessary -to assist the angler in keeping out of sight. The angler -must be ruled by circumstances, always bearing in mind -the fact that the most practical length of line to use is -the shortest on which a trout may be killed. Once -this fact has been fully appreciated and carried into -practice, many of the supposed difficulties of upstream -fishing will vanish entirely, leaving the novice free to -tackle other problems.</p> - -<p>Arriving at a likely stretch of water, and full of -excitement on noticing a fish rise at the tail of the -main stream, the beginner will often wade straight -out to a point below the fish and then cast over him. -There is always a temptation, even to the expert, to -go for a rising fish, but under such circumstances, if -the angler be wise, he will take a careful survey before -wading out, and will note the character of the water -within casting distance of the edge.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span></p> - -<p>The experienced angler will do this instinctively, and -will make his first cast to the sharp run at the edge of -the bank. His second will be made slightly more -across; and, after he has released another foot or two -of line, his flies at the third throw will search the slack -water behind the rock. Here the cast will be repeated -two or three times in rapid succession, the flies not being -allowed to remain in the water more than a moment, -lest the current pick up the line and cause a drag.</p> - -<p>The fear of drag is ever present, but drag may be -avoided in many cases, if care is exercised in regulating -the speed at which the rod point is raised as the flies are -swept down by the current. When the flies have been -thrown to a quieter bit of water and there is a danger -of the current picking up the line, the moment of drag -can often be postponed if the cast finishes in a wavy line -on the water, as the current has to pickup the slack before -the drag takes effect on the flies. To cast thus is a feat -not difficult of achievement for many of the fraternity.</p> - -<p>Another throw is now made, then another, each -rather more across stream, and then, as a result of the -next cast, the flies are hustled rapidly down a race -between two boulders. Here, as in all swift-flowing -water, it is necessary to make several casts before the -angler can be sure that his flies have thoroughly -searched the run; and it is most important to keep -in mind that the casts of a past master at upstream -fly fishing follow quickly one after another.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="illus08" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus08.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption"><i>Headwaters of the Aire</i></p> - <p class="caption"><i>Photo by N. N. Lee</i></p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span></p> - -<p>Wading now a few yards across stream, the angler -continues this system of casting until he eventually -reaches a point from which he can assail the trout -that was noticed rising at the tail of the main stream. -A few more steps then bring him to the far bank.</p> - -<p>To fish a stream or length of river systematically, -crossing and recrossing, each time a few yards higher -up, until the whole has been thoroughly covered, takes -time; but it is far better that the angler’s flies should -be on the water, searching every spot fit to hold a -fish, than waving in the air while he moves rapidly -on from stream to stream. Particularly is this the -case in Spring when the rise comes on late and ends -early, and also on a Summer’s evening when the water -seems literally alive with fish, so madly do they rise, -but for all too brief a spell. Time is of all importance -on such occasions, and here it is that the angler who -fishes methodically and with intelligence scores so -heavily as compared with the rod who spends half -his time in walking from stream to stream, and the -other half in fishing them in a mechanical sort of way. -So many unsuccessful fishermen only fish the larger -streams of a river (and usually downstream), entirely -ignoring the fact that, while such streams afford a -harbour for a great number of fish, they are often -deserted in favour of odd corners and favourite “lies” -directly the “rise” begins.</p> - -<p>The thoughtful fisherman studies the water, its<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span> -pools, currents and eddies, and all those other details, -the meaning of which under varying conditions he has -learned to read, and he is always alive to gather some -new hint. He brings to his aid the wisdom gained -by past experiences, successes and failures, and a -knowledge of the habitat of the trout which has been -the reward of keen observation and a reasoning mind.</p> - -<p>He will tell you that in early Spring the trout, -having hardly recovered their energy after spawning, -are not to be found in the heavy rapids, but may be -looked for at the tail ends of streams and in gently -flowing water; that, as the weeks go by, and as the -sun’s rays warm the water, insect life becomes more -plentiful, and that the trout, once more lusty and -strong with the abundant supply of food, spread -themselves over the river, into rapid streams and all -those places into which steady supplies are concentrated; -and further, that during the heat of Summer -they will be located in the thinnest of water, at the -very edges of streams, pools and eddies, where they lie -ever ready to dart away at the least suspicion of danger.</p> - -<p>Such an angler realizes the necessity of a good knowledge -of insect life, watercraft and the habitat of the -trout, and becomes as intimate with each as an artist -is with his colours. And as blue and yellow combined -will make a green, so surely will the man who thoroughly -acquires such knowledge be a long way towards being -numbered amongst the elect.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span></p> - -<p>A goodly dish of trout hardly come by is a great -satisfaction to a man who has to fit in his fishing days -when he can, but perhaps the greatest pleasure to the -true disciple of Walton is the capture, after many -failures and disappointments and under difficult -conditions, of some wily old trout whose education, -by the constant bombardment of his stronghold, has -been brought to a high degree of finish. What memories -of his capture crowd the mind when some chance word -stirs the chords! Perhaps he came from out a moorland -stream when the snell wind flung back the spray from -every sounding fall, or may be he stubbornly gave up -his virile life on some sun-steeped day when first the -daffodils proclaimed that laggard Spring had come to -a waking country side. Whatever the memory, it is -wholly delightful.</p> - -<p>The charm of fly fishing is never ending and a great -part lies in the infinite field for experiment open to -him who runs. Every day some new feature is revealed; -and, even in this twentieth century, he who will leave -the beaten track, bent on exploration, will always -discover new ground for investigation. The truth of -this was brought home to one of the writers most -forcibly when on a fishing expedition one July some -years ago.</p> - -<p>Rain on the previous day had left the river slightly -coloured, and in magnificent condition, and as the sun -was some little way above, though nearing the horizon,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> -he, with the lightest heart and full of hope, approached -a steady flowing reach where the banks were here and -there fringed with clumps of willows.</p> - -<p>A fish rose well out in the stream, then another, -and another; and as the tackle had been fitted up -before leaving the farm-house, even to the putting on -of a cast of flies, it was not long before those fish, which -were apparently seizing every fly that passed over -them, were covered again and again. All to no purpose, -for the trout proved very discriminating, and at last, -when a fish half rose without breaking the surface of -the water, a change of fly was decided on.</p> - -<p>Hovering round the willows, dancing to and fro in -the air, were hundreds of insects, which on examination -proved to be Light and Dark Silverhorns. Five -minutes had barely elapsed when, with a Light Silverhorns -to replace his point fly and a Dark one as first -dropper, the angler was again assailing his fish; but he -could get no more satisfactory response than a bulge -or two. Then the position of these two flies was -reversed, a step which often pays, but it did not on -that occasion.</p> - -<p>The case was becoming desperate, for the rise would -soon be over. So with some reluctance he left the -rising fish and waded into the stream and put his -flies into a likely looking eddy below an overhanging -willow bush growing on the far bank. Almost immediately -a fish was battling for dear life, but without<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span> -avail; and soon five more, all coming from under the -bank, quickly joined him in the creel.</p> - -<p>As the last of these fish was being drawn over the -net, two local anglers appeared on the scene. Neither -had killed a fish, so a few precious moments were taken -up in wading out and giving each one or two of the -killing fly.</p> - -<p>When the rise was over the angler counted eight -brace of nice sizable fish, all but two being killed on -the Silverhorns, the exceptions having fallen to the -Brown Owl, which was probably taken for the Light -Silverhorns. All came from under the willows and -banks on a reach no more than fifty yards in length, -but strange to say, the local men finished up without -a fish to show between them.</p> - -<p>Later on, when considering the events of the evening -between the sheets, it occurred to the successful one, -that the killing fly of the evening was a killing fly -only so long as it was fished close to the banks near -the willows, and in those places over which hovered -the natural fly. The locals had evidently fished the -fly out in mid-stream; hence their clean creels.</p> - -<p>The following day was a Day of Rest, and as this -idea was after all but surmise, nothing was said to the -two local fishermen, but the results of the next evening’s -fishing were awaited with considerable interest.</p> - -<p>Conditions on the Monday proved to be very similar -to those prevailing on the Saturday, and the results<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span> -of the day justified the surmise, that the fish under -the willows were feeding on such insects as hovered -above them, every now and then to touch the water, -while those out in mid-stream had no Silverhorns -available and so confined their attention to the spent -spinners, smuts and other flies, which were brought to -them by the current.</p> - -<p>If the solution of the problem that presented itself -on that first evening be correct, then the killing power -of a fly is often dependent on its being fished with -due regard to the haunts of the natural insect it is -supposed to imitate. What a field is here for investigation, -and yet the matter is one upon which no hard -and fast rules can be made. Prevailing conditions -must be studied carefully. A cross-wind might obviously -entirely alter the local conditions, and one would not -look in such circumstances for flies in their usual haunts. -On windy days the observant angler would probably -find that the menu of the fish on the side from which -the wind was blowing would include many Diptera or -other land-bred insects, while the fish on the lee shore, -would most likely be feeding principally on such -insects of aquatic origin as happened to be hatching -out at the time.</p> - -<p>The foregoing merely serves to illustrate a few of the -many considerations involved in this absorbing sport; -and in following up these problems many side issues -of equal importance will be opened up.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[53]</span></p> - -<p>If the beginner is dogged by disappointment and -failure (and who can feel the utter bitterness of disappointment -more than a fisherman?), let him be advised -to take heart of grace and not to blame the lowness of -the water, the brightness of the day, thunder or any -of the elements, for his lack of sport, but to say to -himself, “What have I left undone that should have -been done? Where have I failed?” For trout, like -human beings, take their daily bread; and it is up to -the angler to find out when and where and in what -shape. If the beginner will therefore reason out the -causes of failure instead of making excuses for it, he -will be more likely then and on future occasions to -remedy his mistakes and to know the satisfaction of -killing fish on a really difficult day.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Dry-Fly Fishing.</span></h3> - -<p>Next to be considered are the dry fly and its use on -the North Country Rivers; but the novice is strongly -urged, before ever he seeks to master this branch of -angling, to get a good grip of the wet-fly method.</p> - -<p>From the term “North Country Rivers” are naturally -excluded such rivers as the Costa, which is probably -the nearest approach in the North to the Chalk streams -of Hampshire, the home of the dry fly. On that -particular river the dry fly would probably on most -occasions take the premier position, whereas on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[54]</span> -rougher and more rapid streams, such as the Wharfe, -Ribble, Lune, etc., the position is reversed.</p> - -<p>Not many years ago one very seldom came across -anyone further North than Derbyshire fishing the -dry fly, but slowly and surely has the method become -more and more popular; for it is only by the judicious -combination of the two methods of fly fishing that the -best results and the greatest pleasure can, in the judgment -of the writers, be obtained. But <i>chacun à son -goût</i>, and far be it from them to legislate for any -sportsmen who wish or agree to keep their waters -exclusively for any one method of fishing.</p> - -<p>Dry-fly fishing, as practised in the South, differs -slightly from the method here advocated for the -rougher streams above-mentioned, inasmuch as the -purist of the South will not throw a fly to any but a -rising fish, even though he wait an hour or more -before locating one, while the North Country angler -not only throws to the rise, but also to such places as -are likely to hold feeding fish.</p> - -<p>When a specially strong hatch of duns takes place on -Northern rivers and the fish line up to suck in the -insects as they hurry downstream, sails spread to the -breeze, it will pay the angler to try the floater. Again, -between streams on rapid rivers one often comes upon -a long stretch of quiet steady flowing water ideal for -the dry fly. By applying themselves to such a stretch -with the methods of their friends of the South the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[55]</span> -writers have more than once retrieved a bad day. -Quiet eddies too may frequently be fished with success -by this method, and every river has some places, and -is subject to some moods, in which the dry fly scores -over the wet.</p> - -<p>The first experience of one of the writers in dry-fly -fishing was years ago. He had fished for grayling -till noon on a bright frosty October day with indifferent -success, when, on reaching a long stream with the -current under the far bank, he noticed several fish -rising at the tail. In between himself and the fish was -a wide stretch of water some twelve or eighteen inches -in depth, and the fish were out of reach, as the angler -was not wearing waders.</p> - -<p>Now the occasional fish he had managed to reach -during the course of the morning absolutely refused -the wet fly.</p> - -<p>At the moment another fisherman appeared from -upstream and, wading out, immediately caught several -nice fish, to the no small envy of him on the bank. -Before passing on the successful angler vouchsafed -the remark “dry fly,” and gave the writer in question -the “oil tip” in theory and in practice.</p> - -<p>Off came boots and stockings, and, with the shallow -water safely waded, the rising grayling were within -casting distance. So long as the fly—a Red Tag—could -be kept dry, so long did the fish rise at it, but they -would not look at it when water-logged. Between whiles<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[56]</span> -the angler came to shore to stamp a bit of feeling into his -legs, for the water was icy cold; but he enjoyed himself -hugely and got quite a decent bag, besides adding greatly -to the scope of his accomplishment in the gentle art.</p> - -<p>The writers have seen the dry fly score heavily -during the rise of Iron Blue Duns, and they remember -one occasion when that most dainty and beautiful -Ephemera was sailing down in numbers, and when a -feathered imitation accounted for six brace of fish -from a weed-grown reach of steady flowing water.</p> - -<p>A word here must be said with regard to the timing -of the strike when using the dry fly, for the man who -is used to wet-fly fishing will probably strike too quickly -and at the most only prick his fish. In the former -method, before attempting to drive home the steel, -the fish should be allowed to turn with the fly in his -mouth. In wet-fly fishing the fish has often turned -before the rise becomes apparent.</p> - -<p>Many occasions could be mentioned on which the -dry fly has given the writers most pretty fishing. -Once on a Cleveland stream, slow flowing and edged -with most luxuriant vegetation, the wet fly, cast over -rise after rise, was totally ignored, but a change to a -floating Female Black Gnat at once worked wonders. -Had it not been for the innumerable derelict branches -and water weeds in which the cast was time after time -tied up, the creel would have been heavy. But the -enjoyment was intense that glorious June evening.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[57]</span></p> - -<p>Quite sharp streams too will often fish well with the -dry fly in the long evenings, and on one occasion it -was again the Female Black Gnat which accounted -for some difficult Wharfe trout that refused all wet -flies, however presented. It is indeed during the evening -rise that the dry fly will be found most generally -useful on Northern streams.</p> - -<p>That fickle evening rise that so many anglers -impatiently wait for all day, only to return home -beaten and disappointed at dark! Not that the fish -do not rise, for at times the water literally boils with -them, but their discrimination is truly wonderful. -How many an angler on occasions during all that mad -rise has never killed a fish, or not until the sun had -dropped well behind the horizon and dusk was upon -him. Then perhaps he has creeled four or five before -the rise ceased, but has returned home dissatisfied, -realizing that he had been thoroughly beaten, and -that it was the failing light, and not his skill, knowledge -or ingenuity, that saved him from a blank.</p> - -<p>An autopsy will often reveal on such occasions -spinners, gnats and sedge flies; and yet the most -lightly and carefully made imitations, however deftly -thrown, utterly fail as wet flies to attract the fish.</p> - -<p>At times like these a Black Gnat, Ginger and Red -Spinners No. 35 and No. 36, fished dry, and later, as -the sun drops behind the horizon, a Silver Sedge may -be recommended.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[58]</span></p> - -<p>The angler should begin at the tail end of the stream -and work gradually up, placing his fly over every rise -and in all such places as are likely to hold feeding -fish.</p> - -<p>On occasions when all else fails, a trial may be given -to a fancy fly, such as the Pink Wickham or Coachman. -With such patterns during that most tantalising of -rises the writers have sometimes retrieved their -fortunes. Then, as dusk comes on and the dry fly -becomes difficult to see, let the angler quickly change -to a cast of wet flies, the flies dressed a size larger -than those usually used during the day, and before -the rise is over his creel may be the heavier for the -change.</p> - -<p>The dry fly has done yeoman service on some of -those impossible days when fish streak away like -lightning directly the cast falls on the water. By -much stalking and careful fishing of out-of-the-way -places and odd corners, the writers have sometimes -finished with a brace or two which have given great -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>It is very comical to see the evident surprise of a -fish which is taken in by a dry fly when he is quietly -feeding in the shallows. Before he moves off for the -stream he often seems to completely lose his head, -bouncing about half in and half out of the water, and -creating no end of a splash. On one occasion within -the writers’ experience under such circumstances a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[59]</span> -trout landed himself high and dry on the shingle -where he broke the hold, and, continuing his antics, -regained the water. Long ere this he must have made -room for his descendants, as agile, let it be hoped, as -himself.</p> - -<p>How inordinately fond trout must be of the -“fisherman’s curse”—a term which covers, no -doubt, several varieties of fly—for it will be found -to have occurred in the trout’s menu with unfailing -regularity throughout the summer and autumn. It -almost always is the fly which the trout pick off the -surface of the water when they rise in the quiet flats -the livelong day, days which, most anglers will agree, -are usually the most difficult. Sometimes something -may be done with Ginger or Red Spinners, wet or dry, -under such conditions, when imitations of the “curses,” -probably on account of their size, fail to attract.</p> - -<p>The Ginger and Red Spinners described have only -by degrees worked their way into the inner circle of -the writers’ flies. Experience has proved their usefulness, -for they will often be taken when all else fails. -These dry patterns have killed fish under particularly -difficult and hopeless conditions; and their use is -recommended with the greatest confidence.</p> - -<p>Such then is a brief outline of the occasions on which -the dry fly has been found to be of most use to the -North Countryman; but no hard and fast rules can -be made, for the angler’s discernment must play the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[60]</span> -greater part in regulating his actions, and the foregoing -hints are merely given as some small guide to the -beginner. But let all who try the dry fly beware of -drag; it will ruin the chances of the most artistic cast.</p> - -<p>Anyone with designs on dry-fly fishing on Northern -streams may well confine himself to a few of Mr. -Halford’s patterns, say the Olive Dun, Dark Olive Dun, -Iron Blue Dun, and Black Gnat, with the addition of -the Ginger and Red Spinners, Nos. 35 and 36, the Red -Quill, and the Silver Sedge, and a fancy pattern or two, -such as the Coachman and Pink Wickham, for use on -occasions described above.</p> - -<p>A great debt of gratitude is due to those who introduced -the dry fly and developed its use so whole-heartedly, -for there is a charm about dry-fly fishing -which is distinctive, and a fascination that almost -defies description in watching a neatly cocked artificial -fly approach the rings made by a rising trout. A -moment of suspense, intense excitement, followed by -joy supreme when a timely strike is rewarded by a -tightened line. So, apart from its being an asset in -the filling of the creel, the dry fly increases the pleasures -of the gentle craft to a very great extent, a craft as -unique in its scope and variety as it is intriguing in -its difficulties. The whole setting of the craft enhances -its enchantment and give it a hold upon its followers, -powerful as that of friendship, converting them into -ardent devotees for life. Whether one follows its<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[61]</span> -calling in the flower-starred water meadows of the -South, or explores the rivers of the “stone-ribbed -North,” the peace and beauty of the surroundings, far -from the noisy crowd, add a charm which every good -fisherman knows how to be thankful for.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="illus09" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus09.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption"><i>Broken Water</i></p> - <p class="caption"><i>Photo by Mr F. Creedy</i></p> - -</div> - -<p>How pleasant is the time of the after-luncheon pipe, -with the dipper curtseying from the stones in mid-stream. -May be the desolate call of the curlew floats -down from the fells, and the grey dale village, with its -quaint architecture, speaks of times long past, of times -when the Borderers filed down the valley, perhaps -to fall upon a party of Monks from the rich Abbey of -Fountains. Imagination suggests to the ear the savage -shout of exultation of the assailants and the screams -of the stricken, when a widening circle in the stream -brings one back to present day realities in a second.</p> - -<p>Such is a part of the angler’s day, which, lingering -in the mind, inspires him through the long wintry -months to look forward to the time when God’s earth -shall be fresh and green again, and the wild thyme be -fragrant on the banks of many a North Country stream.</p> - -<p>Great men and small alike are held by the wonderful -fascination of the sport, which gives such joy, affords -such relaxation to the mind, and is so free from all -taint of brutality. And though the actual angling -requires the utmost concentration of mind and thought, -yet after all, it has truly been described as “The -Contemplative Man’s Recreation.”</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[62]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_III"><span class="smcap">Chapter III.</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">CREEPER AND STONE FLY FISHING.</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>There are not many streams in the North that -have a distinct rise of May Fly or Green Drake, -and for that reason the writers have not given any -dressings of that fly, nor do they propose to devote -space to a consideration of May Fly fishing. To make -up for the loss of that beautiful Ephemera there is -on most of these rivers the sober-hued Stone Fly, whose -season almost coincides with that of the May Fly.</p> - -<p>The flies are very different. The one, elegant and -dainty, is to be seen one moment floating with wings upright -upon the surface, then drifting in the breeze, while -the other, dark coloured and of unprepossessing aspect, -merges from the Creeper stage only to scuttle under the -stones and remain quietly in darkness till nightfall, -making off once more for obscurity if by chance its -whereabouts is revealed.</p> - -<p>The Stone Fly has four wings, which in repose are -folded flat over the back. It passes the greater part -of its existence in the Creeper state, in which it can<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[63]</span> -be found during the latter part of April and throughout -May under the stones in shallow water near the edges -of streams. The Creeper varies in colour from an -olive green to a dull dark brown, strong yellow showing -at the junction of the segments of the body. It is of -somewhat repulsive appearance, and measures from -half an inch to nearly an inch in length. It has six legs, -two caudal setæ, and two antennæ.</p> - -<p>It is often difficult to collect a supply of Creepers; -not that they are particularly active, but the disturbance -of the water caused by lifting the stones is -apt to hide them while they wriggle under other stones. -It is stated that if the angler, wishing to secure a -supply, stands with his back to the current of the -river and holds his landing net upright before him -with the top of the net resting on the river bed, and -then shuffles his brogues amongst the stones, the -Creepers displaced by his activity will be washed into -the waiting net and a plentiful supply be thus secured. -The writers have never been particularly successful in -this device, but that is no reason why others should -not try it. The Creepers obtained are best kept in a -tin box, together with a little damp moss.</p> - -<p>There is no doubt that the Creeper forms an -important item in the trout’s menu in Spring, as an -autopsy of the day’s catch at that time of the year -will reveal; and many is the Creeper that has been -grabbed by a watchful fish as it ventured from out<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[64]</span> -its hiding place, or that has been torn from beneath -the stones by a questing trout. Creepers are very -plentiful in those North Country rivers which have -the typical stony bed, but the season of the Creeper -being April and May, the writers do not often fish -it, nor is Creeper fishing generally much followed, as -during that time of the year fly fishing is at its very -best. Still, if on occasion the reader has found his -most carefully dressed flies fail to rise a fish—as they -will sometimes even in Spring—he might do worse -than collect a few Creepers, as this method of fishing -forms a pleasant variant of the fisherman’s craft and -throws a further light upon the habits and life and -whereabouts of the trout.</p> - -<p>The line should be well greased, and the cast (as in -fly fishing), three yards tapered down to finest drawn -gut with a form of Pennell tackle at the end, having -the lower hook a size larger than the upper one (this -latter being size No. 3 in the scale before mentioned -on page 8). The bend of one hook should be five-eighths -of an inch from the bend of the other, the -hooks to be whipped on with olive green silk for -preference. The fly rod and line complete the outfit.</p> - -<p>The end hook of the tackle should be put through -the Creeper almost at the extremity of its tail, where -it is toughest, and the other hook in the unhappy -beast’s shoulder, not the head, as the head is liable -to tear off.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[65]</span></p> - -<p>The fishing should be done upstream and the Creeper -cast gently, with an avoidance of jerk. The fly fisherman -will soon instinctively feel the amount of power he can -put into his casts. The rod point must be raised -slowly as the bait trundles down, so that there is no -drag. When the line stops or draws away, the angler -tightens at once; otherwise the fish may eject the -bait.</p> - -<p>The most productive places in Creeper fishing are -usually the edges of the streams, but rougher water -and the necks of streams will often yield fish; and all -places where trout are known or expected to be should -be tried, particularly about boulders and where a -current in the river is contracted into a narrow run.</p> - -<p>About the last week in May the Creepers will be -found to be quitting the water and fastening themselves -to the rocks and stones on the river’s brim, to -the buttresses of bridges, and to those rocks which -stand out above the water. Here it is possible at -times to watch the Stone Fly emerge through the -slit in the back of the Creeper, leaving the perfectly-shaped -skin rigid behind it, although in general Stone -Flies hatch during the night.</p> - -<p>Once the Fly is hatching in numbers, the carnival -begins, although very few are to be seen unless they -are searched for. An odd fly may be seen occasionally -being carried down the stream or paddling across a -shallow, but for the most part the Stone Flies lie very<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[66]</span> -close in their hiding places beneath the stones near the -water. Consequently the ideal conditions for Stone -Fly fishing are when a fresh of a few inches comes -suddenly down the river and washes them out of their -hiding places.</p> - -<p>The large females with the long wings are usually -preferred by both fishermen and trout; the fishermen -find them easy to see on the water, and the trout no -doubt find them a satisfying mouthful. The males -vary in size, although they are smaller than the females -and have shorter wings; the smallest males are difficult -to see when cast on the water and soon become water-logged; -the larger males are almost as good as the -females. The males are called “Jacks.” If males are -used, the hooks of the tackle should be nearer -together than the hooks in the tackle usually used in -Stone Fly fishing.</p> - -<p>It is not as a rule difficult to collect a supply of Stone -Flies, but the males greatly outnumber the females. -As they are picked up they can be placed in one of the -Stone Fly boxes sold for the purpose, a transparent -one for preference. The tackle and rod line and cast -for Stone Fly fishing are exactly the same as those -described for Creeper fishing, and the fly should be -put on the hooks in the same manner as the Creeper.</p> - -<p>The fishing should again be upstream and the Stone -Fly be cast as in Creeper fishing; but, whereas the -Creeper is fished under the water, the Stone Fly is<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[67]</span> -fished on the surface, as it loses much of its attractiveness -when water-logged. It will stand a fair amount -of knocking about, but jerks should be avoided, as -tending to throw the fly off the hooks.</p> - -<p>The Stone Fly accounts for some large fish, and -sometimes those old warriors that have passed the -regular fly-taking stage, and have become wily and -big, succumb to its charms. Therefore it is well to -remember that all places which harbour a trout will -often yield one under proper conditions; and, although -the streams fish about as well with Stone Fly as with -anything else, it should not be forgotten that trout, -when on the feed, very often leave the streams for -shallow water, and for any vantage point where the -current concentrates all the flotsam and jetsam from -yards above into one narrow channel, and that they -love to haunt the neighbourhood of rocks and boulders.</p> - -<p>The Stone Fly will kill many fish which are not -strictly on the feed, but which cannot resist the -temptation to make the most of the Stone Fly season -when a great juicy female fly floats overhead. If the -reader bears this fact in mind he will seize the opportunity -in the early summer to get the big one which -has so often waved a vanishing tail at his flies.</p> - -<p>The size of the fly is against its being sucked in as -easily as the usual artificial, and it is of advantage to -give a moment’s grace before striking when a fish -rises. Never to be forgotten is the disappointment of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[68]</span> -a too hasty strike one lovely early June morning. -The angler was out before the sun topped the fell, -and a few brace were already in the creel, when he -reached a perfect eddy at the side of the main stream. -The Stone Fly was cast <i>secundum artem</i> (would that -the further proceedings had been on the same plane!). -It had hardly alighted when a big fish came up like a -porpoise. Alas! quick as light the eager one tightened -without allowing the moment’s grace, down went the -fish and played strongly, facing the current and giving -heartrending jars to the line. Confidence was beginning -to take the place of fear of a light hold, when up the -beauty came, headed into the stream and came down -with all the force of its waters thrown into the scale. -He was just opposite the angler when the rod flew up, -and that sorrowful angler saw no more of what would -undoubtedly have been his big fish of the season.</p> - -<p>The charm of Stone Fly fishing is truly enhanced -by the season of its use. What could be finer than -the river side in the latter days of May and early June; -and a turn before breakfast at that time of the year -is a delight to be remembered the winter through. -Besides, a good creel when fish are not so terribly difficult -to kill is like all success honestly come by, a delight -to the heart and a pleasure to one’s friends.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[69]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_IV"><span class="smcap">Chapter IV.</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">UPSTREAM WORM FISHING.</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>No book devoted to the subject of the fishing of -North Country rivers would be complete without -a chapter on worm fishing.</p> - -<p>This branch of the sport, has during recent years -become more and more popular in the Northern -Counties, as worm fishing, under the conditions mentioned -later, undoubtedly deserves to be classed as an -art alongside of the highest forms of fly fishing. -Indeed, in its difficulties it exceeds fly fishing, both -wet and dry.</p> - -<p>There remains, however, still a certain amount of -prejudice against worm fishing among fly fishermen, -who continue to look upon it as unsporting and -therefore beneath the notice of a self-respecting fisherman. -But the prejudice of these men is probably -largely due to their misconception of the term. For -while trout can mostly be caught by any in a fresh -with very elementary tackle, it takes an observant<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[70]</span> -and persevering man to make a basket under conditions -suitable for sporting upstream worming.</p> - -<p>The use of the worm during the first few months -of the season cannot be defended, whether the river -be low and clear, or running strong with the Spring -freshets; for seldom a day passes at that time of the -year without a rise at some part of it during which -trout will take a fly, and, while that is the case, what -true disciple of Walton would use any other lure?</p> - -<p>The season therefore when the worm can fairly be -used is restricted to the time of low clear waters -during the hottest part of the summer, when the trout -have ceased to rise freely to the fly in the day-time, -a period of some eight or ten weeks, beginning about -the 10th of June. The Stone Fly is usually over by -that date. Any antipathy to worm fishing under those -conditions in our North Country Rivers is difficult to -understand, for it provides a most sporting variety of -fishing during the blazing days of summer when the -fly is hopeless. And unless a man is prepared to work -hard in the blistering sun, unless he has a good -knowledge of the habits of trout, and is able to show -a fair amount of skill, both in approaching his fish and -in throwing the worm, his basket will be a light one.</p> - -<p>Many are the days during the latter part of June -and the month of July when the man who fishes fly -only will return home with but an odd fish or so to -show for his day’s outing. That may satisfy the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[71]</span> -gentleman of leisure, but to those who can devote to -their favourite pastime only such days—often few and -far between—as can be snatched from business, the -killing of a few brace will appeal strongly.</p> - -<p>To them in particular this chapter is addressed in the -hope that some of those who, through prejudice, use -fly only will reserve judgment, and, having read so far, -may be sufficiently interested to read to the end of -the chapter, and maybe to put into practice those -hints which are here offered on one of the most delightful -branches of trout fishing.</p> - -<p>A day with the upstream worm always gives to the -writers the utmost pleasure and satisfaction. Each -cast is as full of interest as a cast made with the wet -fly; and from the moment the worm touches the water -to the moment it is withdrawn, the excitement rivals -that conjured up by the approach of a dry fly to the -spot whence recently emanated the rings made by a -rising trout.</p> - -<p>Then again, the skill necessary to throw a worm -without flicking it off the hooks, and to drop it exactly -where required with the least possible disturbance, is -of no mean order.</p> - -<p>That is not all, however; conditions vary, and all -rivers from day to day present new problems. Unless -therefore the angler is able to adapt himself to varying -conditions, the most precise and delicate casting is of -little avail.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[72]</span></p> - -<p>To divine instinctively where the trout lie is the -great secret of success; and it is the application of -that knowledge that marks the expert in this branch -of angling. To put the matter in a nutshell, an adept -in upstream worm fishing combines delicate and -accurate casting, unsurpassed even by the dry-fly man, -with an intimate knowledge of the habits of trout. -This can only be gained by keen and careful observation.</p> - -<p>Neither wet-fly nor dry-fly fishing requires quite -such a wide experience with regard to the habits of -trout, and for that reason upstream worm fishing is to -be classed as an art in itself. The knowledge gained -of the habitat of the trout by clear water worming is -a valuable asset to the wet-fly fisher and may often -be turned to good account on one of those days when -the hatch of fly is meagre and rising fish are few.</p> - -<p>Is not this latter reason alone sufficient recommendation -to induce every fly fisher to take up this branch -of the art? If the reader thinks so, perhaps the few -following hints on tackle and procedure may serve as -some guide, particularly if he be a novice and about -to make his initial effort.</p> - -<p>The rod is, of course, of primary importance. Many -writers recommend one of 12 ft. in length; and Stewart, -who has always held the reputation of being one of -the finest exponents of upstream worming of his day, -recommends the use of a rod even longer than that.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[73]</span> -No doubt a long rod has the advantage of enabling -the wielder to keep out of sight readily, but the writers -seldom use any other than a 10½ ft. fly rod, simply -because they frequently find it advisable to change -from worm to fly and <i>vice versâ</i>.</p> - -<p>The reel and line should be the same as that used -for fly fishing, and also the cast (as in fly fishing), a -tapered one of three yards, the last yard being of -finest drawn gut. Then comes the worm tackle. With -regard to this there is a choice of three different -varieties, each having its own advantages, and it is -for the reader to use that with which he best succeeds.</p> - -<p>First there is the single-hook tackle, in which the -worm is threaded over the shank of the hook, and is -kept from slipping down by a crank at the top. The -advantages of this tackle are that most of the hook is -hidden, being buried in the worm, and, the hook being -fairly large, a good hold is got upon a fish when hooked.</p> - -<p>Second comes the two-hook or Pennell tackle. In -this case two small hooks are used, one being whipped -on to the gut an inch above the other. The upper -hook is put through the worm a quarter to half an inch -below the head, the worm is then twisted once round -the tackle between the hooks, and the lower hook -is put through the lower end of the body. This is a -very good form of tackle, and is the one preferred by -the writers, as the worm lives longer on it than when -threaded on a single hook, is livelier and has a more<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[74]</span> -natural appearance in the water. The hooks should be -size No. 3 in the scale before mentioned on page 8.</p> - -<p>Third comes the Stewart tackle, which is the same -in form as the Pennell, except that it has three hooks -one above the other, instead of two. This is a tackle -the writers have very seldom used, and they are -therefore, perhaps, hardly competent to speak of its -merits. Their experience, however, leads them to -think that the three hooks cannot be sufficiently well -concealed by the small worms which it is imperative to -use in low clear waters, and that therefore the trout -have a better opportunity of detecting the deception.</p> - -<p>The next point in the outfit is waders, and these -are absolutely essential if the best is to be got out of -upstream worming. The fish must be approached -from almost directly behind, which is impossible in -most cases if the fishing is done from the bank.</p> - -<p>Lastly, the angler should always carry a few small -leads or sinkers which can be easily put on and easily -removed. Split shot in various sizes, hammered flat, -will do quite well. They will not often be required, -but it is always as well to have them handy for the -odd places where their use is necessary, which are -described later.</p> - -<p>And now a word as to worms. “Maiden dews,” so -often advertised, are not the best for the purpose, -but those known as “Pinktails” are the real thing; -they should be small, say 2 inches in length, and of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[75]</span> -a pale pink colour. They should, of course, be well -scoured, and they can be carried in moss in a bag -hung round the neck.</p> - -<p>With regard to throwing the worm, the two aims -never to be lost sight of are accuracy and delicacy, -and this combination can only be attained by constant -practice. The man who can cast a fly will soon get -the knack of putting the worm where he wishes, if -he remembers that, when throwing the worm, the -action is slower and more of a swing than in casting -a fly, and that the rod point should be brought rather -nearer the water at the finish of the cast. In addition -to this, the arm should be pushed forward just as the -worm is about a foot from the mark, in order to obviate -any recoil and ensure that there shall be little disturbance -of the surface as the worm drops into the water.</p> - -<p>The greatest trouble of the novice is the frequency -with which he flicks the worm off the hooks, particularly -if the day’s supply has not been well scoured. To -master this trouble all jerks must be avoided, both -when withdrawing the worm from the water and also -when the cast is extended behind. As before stated, -the movement should be more of a swing than in fly -casting, with just sufficient power to extend the line -behind and the same in front; there will then be few -lost or broken worms.</p> - -<p>The next and, without doubt, the most essential -point for consideration is where to fish.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[76]</span></p> - -<p>Imagine a bright day towards the end of June on -the banks of a typical North Country river. The gate -just passed through brings one to the tail end of a -rapid stream some fifty yards in length, broken here -and there by boulders, some submerged and others -just showing their dark mossy heads above the surface -of the water. At the head of the stream there is a -line of submerged stepping stones which no doubt -many years ago, before the bed of the river changed, -served a useful purpose.</p> - -<p>This stretch of river from bank to bank is nowhere -more than two feet deep, except in the middle a few yards -below the stepping stones, where the current is strongest -and where it has dug out a deeper channel. The -beginner looking at this stream immediately notices -the darker tone of water denoting the deeper channel -and concludes that, of all places in the reach, that is -the most likely to hold a good fish. Let him not be -misled; the deeper channel holds many good fish, -but of all parts of the stream, that channel is the -least likely place from which to basket one.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="illus10" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus10.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption"><i>The Head of the Dale</i></p> - <p class="caption"><i>Photo by N. N. Lee</i></p> - -</div> - -<p>Often have the writers seen men enter this stream, -and wade straight out to the deeper water, unwittingly -driving scores of trout in consternation before them. -They fish the deeper rush of water, are rather surprised -that it does not yield a fish, and then move up the -river to the next stream, splashing right through the -best water as they go. These men, more often than<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[77]</span> -not, return home with a creel lighter than it was before -they ate their mid-day meal; and, besides doing -nothing themselves, they make it absolutely impossible -for another following on, to fish the stream with any -chance of success within half-an-hour of their having -disturbed it.</p> - -<p>The way in which a friend, an adept at clear-water -worming, would approach and fish this stream is very -different. Here is a description of his method.</p> - -<p>He enters the reach at the very tail end, where, -at the edge, the water ripples along some two or three -inches deep. The manner of his beginning may be compared -to an otter’s in the quietness with which he enters -the river; there is no splash or disturbance, and, more -probably than not, he will stoop to avoid being seen.</p> - -<p>He will make the first cast straight upstream, the -worm entering the water twenty-five or thirty feet in -front of him, but only some six to twelve inches from -the bank.</p> - -<p>Many beginners have laughed at the idea of a fish -being caught in such a place, but let the unbelievers -walk on a bright summer’s day along the bank of a -trout stream, and what do they see? Innumerable -fish darting away from the edges of the river, scared -at their approach. It is for these very fish that our -expert intends to try, when he makes his cast at the -extreme edge of the river.</p> - -<p>Directly the worm reaches the water, it begins to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[78]</span> -travel naturally and without drag towards the angler, -who slowly raises the point of his rod, keeping in touch -with the worm so that a twist of the wrist will immediately -drive the hook home if a fish takes hold. He -is careful to avoid drag, which is fatal, and is usually -caused by the too rapid raising of the rod point. -Without moving his position he makes another cast, -only this time slightly more across the stream, then -another and another, each being further from the bank.</p> - -<p>He now wades gently a yard further upstream. In -front of him, and just within casting distance, he -notices an obstacle which causes a tiny eddy. The -object is little more than a good-sized tuft of grass -jutting out from the bank, but even that so alters -the flow of the water, as to form a likely feeding place -for a fish. The cast is carefully made and the worm -falls into the water as though it had crawled to the -edge of the grass and dropped in.</p> - -<p>Almost as soon as the worm has touched the water -the current carries it gently, and quite naturally, into -the eddy. The line stops, our friend withholds his -hand, and it is not until the line moves slightly towards -the main stream that he gives a turn of the wrist, -driving the hook home into a nice half-pound fish. -For a moment it splashes dangerously in the shallow -water before making off for the deeper stream. The -hook, however, is well home and the captive is quickly -brought down and drawn over the submerged net.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[79]</span></p> - -<p>“Well!” says an uninitiated onlooker, “who -would have thought that a fish would have been so -near the edge, and in such shallow water too?” The -more you fish the upstream worm, the greater will be -your astonishment at the number and the size of trout -caught in such places.</p> - -<p>Having basketed his fish, the angler rebaits his -tackle, and then gently moves a yard further upstream, -repeating his systematic casting. In this manner he -stalks his quarry up the one side to the head of the -stream. Yes, “stalk” is the word which most -adequately describes this man’s methods, as he takes -the greatest pains to avoid being seen. It is work, -and hard work too, on a blazing hot day; but it pays, -and it is only necessary to see the expert’s basket -at the end of it to be convinced. There is always a -good dish of fish, and, as often as not, a very large fish -to top off with.</p> - -<p>The stepping stones having been reached, our friend -leaves the water. Keeping well away from the edge -he returns to the tail of the stream and wades some -eight yards across. His first cast is made upstream -and slightly towards the bank he has just left, the -next one more directly in front, the next inclined -towards the opposite side, and so on until he is casting -more and more towards the far bank. Yard by yard -the stream is covered in this manner, as the angler -works upwards until two or three boulders are within<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[80]</span> -casting distance, one showing distinctly above the -surface of the water, while the others are detected -only by the broken surface of the stream.</p> - -<p>This is another very likely place, but our friend -prefers the edges of the stream and thinner water to -such places, although the latter are often good for -two or three fish. The first cast is made towards the -near bank, but without result. The second also fails -to entice a fish, although the worm was dropped just -by the side of one of the submerged boulders. At the -third cast, however, which was made to the other side -of the same boulder, a fish fastens and is brought to -net. The golden gleam of another trout is seen as he -is turned over, but missed, behind one of the other -rocks. Then at the succeeding cast the worm enters -the water about a foot beyond the rock which lifts -above the surface of the stream. The sharp water -running round the side of a boulder forms a favourite -feeding place for a fish; a trout occupying such a -position usually lies with his head slightly in advance -of the rock. The worm has just time to sink before -it is picked up by the stream and carried rapidly down -the run. A fish turns and darts after it. He seizes his -prey as it sweeps almost past the rock, the steel is -gently driven home, and another fish duly joins his -brethren in the creel.</p> - -<p>The whole of the stream is worked in the foregoing -manner, the far edge of the river being treated in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[81]</span> -same way as the side on which a beginning was made, -and great care is taken that a tell-tale wave does not -precede the angler.</p> - -<p>At the far side, immediately below the stepping-stones, -and lying slightly across stream, is the submerged -trunk of an old tree which lodged there years -ago, no doubt washed down and left by some winter -flood. The position of this tree trunk, resisting the -force of the current, causes a sharp stream to flow -parallel to it. In this run a good fish will always be -found, lying ready to seize whatever of his fancy the -stream may carry to him. A cast is made, the worm -gently dropping into the water some two or three -inches from the side of the log. The rod point is -slowly raised, our expert being most particular not to -do this too quickly, and cause a drag on the worm. -This necessity for avoidance of drag is a point to be -reiterated and insisted on as strongly in this branch -of the art as in fly fishing, as one is often inclined to -think a stream is running quicker than is actually the -case, and an unnatural drag will cause many a good -fish to turn away, that would otherwise have taken -the lure. The worm has hardly travelled more than -half its course, when the line stops. As it moves away -a gentle strike is rewarded by a tightened line, and -another lusty trout is battling for dear life. Upstream -he goes for a few yards, then flings himself into the -air, but a lowered rod point defeats the manœuvre, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[82]</span> -control of the captive is regained as he re-enters the -water. The split cane soon tells on his strength, and -quietly he is coaxed down stream to the net, but -instead of floating in he merges indistinct into the -shadowy water, and an upflying rod tells of a light -hold and the loss of a stout-hearted fish.</p> - -<p>Leaving this stream, and incidentally the friend whose -methods have been studied, let the reader give his company -up the river to the next stream; and, to realize -how failure may be caused by wrong approach, let -him listen to an incident which happened to one of -the writers in his early days of upstream worming. -But first the stream must be described.</p> - -<p>A long deep pool (or dub, as it is called on the -Eden) breaks away in a short characterless rapid, -narrowing towards the tail and then rushing under -willow trees which hang right out over the river from -the right bank. The strong stream has dug out a -deep channel under these willows, while the left or -near bank is a bed of fine gravel gradually sloping -into the deeper water at the far side. This deep -channel holds many good fish, but they are quite -unassailable so long as they remain well under the -willows.</p> - -<p>Now for the incident. The day was blazing hot, -the month July, and the river low and clear when -the writer in question first essayed to fish it with -the worm. Entering the water at the tail of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[83]</span> -stream, he waded out as near as possible to the willows, -which, as described, were on his left. Casting straight -up in front of him he cherished the idea that the -stream would carry the worm under the willows to -the place where, it was hoped, the best fish would lie -feeding. So far, so good. In this manner he worked -to the top of the stream without a touch, when a final -throw was made, pitching the worm into the water -just where it rushed hardest under the willows.</p> - -<p>Almost before the worm touched the water, the -dark form of a large fish, some three or four pounds in -weight, shot from the shallows on his right, to his holt -in the deeps under the willows. This fish had been -lying in the very thin water at the tail end of the -rapids, no doubt seizing every morsel that came -within reach, but ever ready to dart into his stronghold -on the least sign of danger.</p> - -<p>On the two following days the same thing happened, -when it occurred to that youthful angler that his -approach had been all wrong, and that if he had -worked the thin water first, leaving the deeper channel -until the last, success might have attended his efforts. -But reflection had come too late; he had to leave, -and he never saw the fish again.</p> - -<p>There is another moral to the incident; although a -deep inaccessible pool may be the stronghold of the -largest trout, they will, during the hot summer months, -frequently come to the thin edges of the stream to feed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[84]</span></p> - -<p>Another personal experience will perhaps serve -to illustrate other possibilities. Towards the end -of June, after seven weeks’ drought, the writers went -to the upper reaches of a North Country river, -where, thanks to the generosity of the proprietor, -they were permitted to have a few days’ fishing. -Owing to the long spell of dry weather the river, which -at the best of times is there little better than a good -sized beck, had shrunk to a mere trickle with deep -pools here and there. The whole bed of the river was -thickly coated with a green slimy growth.</p> - -<p>Local opinion had it that fishing was waste of time -until a good flood came to clean the bed of the river. -Enthusiasm prevailed, however, as it was the first -opportunity one of the party had of fishing this stretch, -and the chance was not one to be missed, even though -the prospects held out no great hope of success.</p> - -<p>Up to about noon on the first day he who was -strange to the water had never a fish to show for his -efforts, although the trout were there and plentiful.</p> - -<p>What with the oppressive heat and persistent -failure, much of the keenness of early morning had -worn off, and it was with a feeling akin to relief that -the angler unslung his creel and threw himself on to -the bank where he might enjoy a cigarette under the -cool shade of the trees.</p> - -<p>As the wreaths of smoke curled upwards, the -unsuccessful one, with his back propped against the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[85]</span> -trunk of a tree, began to survey the stretch of river -above him. Both banks were bordered by trees and -clumps of willows for a distance of some two hundred -yards. The water was nowhere more than two feet -deep and so slight was the current that it was almost -imperceptible. Not a ripple broke the surface of the -stretch from end to end. It was like the proverbial -“sheet of glass,” and, had it but been able to reflect -the expression on the angler’s face, nothing but -disappointment would have been revealed.</p> - -<p>At length he jumped up with the intention of -exploring the higher regions of the river and as he did -so several fish, scared at his proximity, darted from the -edge. Those trout decided the course of action, and, -although the reach was to all appearances hopeless, -the angler determined to try for some of the fish that -were lying at the very edges, apparently basking in -the sun.</p> - -<p>Wading a stretch of water such as this, was most -difficult, necessitating the utmost caution and slow -approach, if the tell-tale wave were to be avoided. -For obvious reasons it was essential that the angler -should keep as close in to the willows on his side of -the river as possible, and cast as long a line as he -could control. Every time the worm was allowed to -sink to the bottom, it was fouled with the vegetable -growth on the stones. This happened almost every -cast, and just as the angler was beginning to think<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[86]</span> -that nobody but a fool would ever try to fish such a -place, he came within casting distance of a narrow -opening between the willows. Throwing carefully -round the trees, the worm was landed within a few -inches of the bank. There was a wave such as a trout -makes when darting from the edge, and for the fraction -of a second he thought that the slight disturbance -caused by the worm dropping into the water had -scared the fish. But no! the line quivered, then -moved slightly, and, in response to a well-timed strike, -the rod bent to the fight of a good half-pounder, -which gave that thrill of satisfaction which is only -felt when a difficult situation has been overcome.</p> - -<p>That stretch of water yielded, within an hour or so, -eight fish, which later proved to be above the average -size for that part of the river.</p> - -<p>The experience has been of the greatest value. -Many times since then, when fish would not take well -in the stream, has a blank been saved by attacking a -stretch of water of this nature in this way. One thing -leads to another, and perhaps a further use to which -the knowledge gained on that occasion has been put -is worth recording.</p> - -<p>In common with many others, who can only go -a-fishing at such times as business permits, the writers -frequently wield the rod on most unpropitious days. -Even in July they sometimes find on reaching the -river that half a gale of wind is blowing dead down<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[87]</span> -stream. An hour’s battling against the elements, -trying in vain to get the worm well up in front, is as -a rule enough for anyone. Even if the worm lands -occasionally where it is wanted, the wind will catch -the line and cause a most unnatural drag, and ruin -all chance of enticing a fish.</p> - -<p>Those were the prevailing conditions on the first -opportunity that offered of making use of the experience -just narrated.</p> - -<p>Leaving an ideal stream, which on this particular -day was absolutely unsheltered from a strong downstream -wind, the writers walked upstream, but had not -gone far when one of them noticed, in contrast with the -wind-beaten surface of the water, an unruffled place -between two large trees which overhung the bank. -The water here was wadable, the current almost non-existent, -and within the shelter of the trees it was not -difficult to make a neat cast. The worm had scarcely -touched the water when, from under the cover of the -overhanging boughs, came a nice plump well-fed fish, -and in full view of the angler appropriated the worm -in the most unsuspicious manner. Enough, the angler -walked on trying behind every bush, whether the river -at that particular place was streamy or otherwise; and -since then, the writers have often had the laugh of a -heavy downstream wind.</p> - -<p>Now by the foregoing it is not desired to suggest, -that it is wise, whenever an almost streamless stretch<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[88]</span> -of water is reached, to fish it, as the process is slow -and takes up much time, which might probably be -used to better advantage in the streams and thin -water; but, as a stand-by, when conditions are against -the angler and the trout not keen, it is always well to -try such places.</p> - -<p>Another favourite feeding ground, where innumerable -trout always congregate, is the very tail end of a -pool, just before it breaks away into the stream below. -The water in such a place forms a glassy glide, in -fishing which the novice will find his path to success -beset with difficulties, particularly if the banks of the -river afford no cover. The greatest circumspection -in approach, and more than ordinary delicacy in -casting, are two essentials which will go far towards -the mastery of this situation; but there is again -the difficulty of an unnatural drag to be overcome. -To obviate this trouble entirely in such a place, is -almost impossible, but much may be done to attain -the desired end by fishing with a short line and -letting as little of it touch the water as possible. -Reaches of this character, however, will always fish -best when the angler has the wind behind him, and -under those conditions should never be neglected, as -among the trout which haunt such places will -frequently be found the largest that the river produces.</p> - -<p>Let it be understood, however, that the remarks -in the foregoing paragraph apply principally to large<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[89]</span> -pools extending almost the whole way across a river; -but at the same time, it must not be thought that the -tail end of a small pool is useless; on the contrary, -such places will often yield a trout, and they are -easier to fish than the larger glides.</p> - -<p>Mention of the uses for the sinkers suggested in -the outfit has been purposely left until almost the last, -as in clear-water worming the part they play is a very -small one.</p> - -<p>When on an open stretch of water trouble is experienced -in casting against a wind, after having first tried -in vain to overcome the difficulty by reducing the length -of the casting line, then, as a last resource, pinch on to -the cast a small lead eighteen inches above the hooks. -This will materially assist in getting out the line, and -at the same time the lead will help to reduce the drag -on the line which the wind will be certain to cause.</p> - -<p>Further use for sinkers will be found when fishing -rapid rivers where many channels of very swift flowing -water are frequently met with. Outside these occasions, -however, leads will be found of little value and -their use should be exceptional in upstream worming.</p> - -<p>Without wishing to enlarge further on this almost -inexhaustible subject, there is one other point of -some importance which should be mentioned and that -is a method by which any difficulty experienced in -detecting when the worm has been seized may be -overcome. Many beginners, particularly if their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[90]</span> -eyesight is not of the best, find this a great source of -trouble. Let them grease the reel line well before a -start is made. It will then float, and any check upon -it will be noticed immediately. If even that does -not get over the difficulty, let them tie on a small -piece of light-coloured wool where the cast and line -join (the wool can often be obtained from the fences -at the stream side where sheep have rubbed), form -the wool into a tiny ball and soak it with oil such as is -carried by the dry-fly man. When this ball gets -water-logged all that is necessary is to squeeze it -between finger and thumb and occasionally re-oil it. -It will be found to float splendidly, and by following -the golfer’s first maxim, “Keep your eye on the -ball,” few bites will pass unobserved.</p> - -<p>Let it be hoped that those who have read to the end -of this chapter and feel any inclination to give clear-water -worming a trial will get from that branch of the -sport as much pleasure and satisfaction as the writers -have enjoyed, during those days in summer which -come, alas, all too seldom. Days which open with the -incomparable freshness of a June morning, continue -with the brightest of skies, with songs of birds, and -murmuring streams, and close with the landscape -wrapped in shadows. The while great beetles drone by, -and moths, white and brown, flutter out of the grasses -under foot, when it requires an effort to leave such a -wonderful world, and to re-enter the dwellings of man.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[91]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_V"><span class="smcap">Chapter V.</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">MINNOW FISHING.</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>Minnow fishing, although barred on many -streams, has much to be said for it, if it be -practised judiciously and at certain times of the year, -as it accounts for many of the larger fish whose cannibal -habits have grown in proportion to their years, and -whose demise can in no way be regretted. It may, -therefore, fairly be said that the majority of Northern -rivers are benefited by a limited use of the minnow. -But its use must be <i>limited</i>, for it does a stream a -great deal of harm, if, from one end of the season to -the other, it is daily raked with minnows, natural -and artificial, of all shapes and sizes. Besides, the -practice is unfair to those who wish to fish the fly, as -trout are usually put down for some considerable -time after a minnow has been spun over them.</p> - -<p>It is, moreover, a mystery why any man should -wish to fish the minnow during the early part of the -year when trout rise readily to the fly. Spinning<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[92]</span> -should therefore be restricted to times of flood, as -hereafter described, and to the latter part of the -season, excepting September.</p> - -<p>When fish begin to come somewhat shyly at the -worm during July and August—fished in the method -previously described—they are frequently in the right -mood for a minnow. At such times the waters are -usually low and clear; it therefore requires considerable -dexterity to achieve success, and there is no doubt -that the minnow, fished under such conditions, is a -sporting method of angling; although it is a greater -pleasure to land a pound trout on a 00 hook than to -kill a two pounder on the heavier tackle required for -minnow fishing.</p> - -<p>With the evolution of the casting reel—its yearly -improvements and new inventions, all in aid of long -distance casting—there is reason to think that minnow -fishing has been popularized at the expense of the -skill shown by the old-fashioned school, which, using -a short line and possessed of a good knowledge of the -habits of its quarry, lured many an old cannibal from -under the tree roots, from behind some boulder, or -from the depths of an eddy, old villains that had -battened for years upon the young stock of the river.</p> - -<p>One sees now, not without regrets, little of the old -manner of fishing the minnow, but far more of the -method in which the minnow is thrown as far as possible -across stream, and then worked back to the angler<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[93]</span> -with very little idea of its being properly presented. -The modern method appears to require but little skill, -knowledge or ingenuity, and it is by a long way the -nearest approach to “chuck and chance it” of any -of the methods of fishing described.</p> - -<p>The long-distance casting reel has its uses, but in -minnow fishing, as in all other branches of angling, -the man must adapt himself to circumstances, and if -he does so he will find that it is not always necessary -to throw a long way.</p> - -<p>Out of all the reels on the market it would be presumptuous -to say that such and such a reel is best. -Each has its advocates, and while one man will swear -by a certain make, the next may swear at it.</p> - -<p>The rod should be short, 8 ft. 6 ins. or 9 feet, -and fairly stiff, though not too stiff. If a preference -may be expressed, it is for a rod that just gives slightly -as a minnow is drawn across the current, and for light -spinning the split-cane fly rod frequently serves -very well.</p> - -<p>The line to use with the majority of reels is made -of fine waterproof silk, as it does not kink so readily -as an undressed one, but there are certain reels on -the market with which it is an absolute necessity to -use undressed lines, and for many it is claimed that -their mechanism can be so adjusted as to do away -entirely with kinking.</p> - -<p>Out of the many varieties of mount for the natural<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[94]</span> -minnow there is none so popular in the North (and -deservedly so) as the “Ariel.” It is easily baited; -the lead (which can be had in various weights) is -pushed into the body of the bait, the bottom hook -is put through the back just above the tail, and the -gut is then drawn tight until a slight bend is imparted -to the minnow; the other hooks are then put into -either side so as to hold the bait in position. There -is one point of importance which must be carefully -watched in baiting the tackle. The fore part of the -minnow must be perfectly straight; if this is not so -and there is a curve in that part of the body, instead -of spinning cleanly, the minnow will come towards -the angler with an intoxicated wobble, which is fatal to -good results.</p> - -<p>The variety of artificial minnows offered to fishermen -is truly bewildering, and life is far too short for the -writers to have tested even a tithe of them; but there -is one which has invariably proved a killer in a coloured -water, and that is the “Devon.” It is sold in all -sizes from one inch upwards and in a variety of colours. -The virtues of this minnow lie, in all probability, in -its particularly brilliant spin, and it is the writers’ -practice always to have two or three sizes handy, in -gold, brown and blue.</p> - -<p>To them it is a proven fact that the artificial is -never so good as the natural; for a trout if he once -runs at an artificial, but is not hooked, will seldom<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[95]</span> -come again. Whereas with a natural minnow, once -the trout has tasted blood, he often cannot resist the -temptation to have a second go, unless he has been -badly scratched; and in some instances, he will come -again and again until finally hooked. There are, -however, times when natural minnows seem more -difficult to get than trout; and for a clear water on -such occasions, a light Phantom, or one of the many -excellent reproductions of the minnow sold by fishing -tackle houses can be used.</p> - -<p>The trace should be from three to five feet in length, -the former being long enough for a coloured water, -and the latter short enough for the clearest conditions. -It should, for average use, be of finest undrawn gut, -though when using very small minnows in a low clear -water, a much finer quality is to be recommended.</p> - -<p>To obviate kinking of the cast and line, and to get -a nice free spin, it is, of course, necessary to use swivels -on the trace. Of these the angler should always -carry a supply of various sizes, and at least two should -be put on to the cast. The writers’ practice is more -often than not to use three, increasing slightly in size -as the distance from the minnow increases. And -in preference to the use of lead on the trace, they are -always for having it concealed in the body of the -minnow whenever possible.</p> - -<p>The most silvery natural minnows are undoubtedly -the best. They should be from an inch and a quarter<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[96]</span> -to two inches in length, and they are perhaps better -used fresh than in any other condition. If they are -put into a bottle three parts full of water, corked, -and carried in the pocket, they may be kept alive the -whole day, if the water be changed occasionally.</p> - -<p>If the angler is anxious to keep the weight of his -impedimenta down to a minimum, salted minnows -take up far less room than live ones and are naturally -much lighter, and it is doubtful whether they are -appreciably inferior to fresh ones. But preserved -minnows, which have been kept in a solution of formalin, -are certainly not so good as fresh or salted ones, as -trout never seem to want to try a second bite, when -they have been missed the first time.</p> - -<p>Minnow fishing as practised in a coloured water -is comparatively easy, and does not call for any great -amount of dexterity. That branch of the sport, therefore, -may be dealt with first, with the prefatory remark -that the minnow at such times should be used -judiciously and sparingly and with a view to removing -the cannibals from the river.</p> - -<p>When a fresh is running, the minnow is used to best -advantage when the river begins to rise and again as -it subsides, that is when it wears the complexion known -as “porter colour.” If on such occasions the angler -sees an odd fish or two rise in some eddy or back wash, -he may count the risers his if he spins with any skill at all.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="illus11" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus11.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="caption"><i>A Brook in Spring</i></p> - <p class="caption"><i>Photo by N. N. Lee</i></p> - -</div> - -<p>If the angler knows of the stronghold of some<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[97]</span> -monster trout grown ugly and big on a diet of trout, -minnows and bottom food, let him hasten thither -with all speed if a fresh comes down the river, and -fish very carefully round the ancient’s precincts, as -in all probability he will come from out his keep to -seek for food round the edges of the stream, and to -seize any fry which he sees carried down by, and -struggling against, the rush of the water.</p> - -<p>To fish a coloured water, the angler must throw -his minnow well across stream and then bring it round -to his own side in a series of short pulls, occasionally, -where the current is strongest, allowing the force of -water to carry it a foot or two down stream, imitating -more or less what one would imagine the actions -of some small fish would be that had got into heavy -water. And as trout will often follow a minnow from -one side of the river to the other before taking it, and -as in flood time they are to be found under the banks -very close to the edge, it is imperative that the angler -should not lift the minnow out of the water until he -has worked it well up under the bank on which he -stands, and thoroughly searched the edges. It is -impossible to lay too much stress on this point, -as it will be found that almost eight fish out of ten -take the minnow close to the edge, just as they become -afraid that they may lose their prey.</p> - -<p>All slack waters, eddies and places out of the rush -of heavy water, where trout seek shelter in time of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[98]</span> -flood, should be fished; and, if it be possible to cast -the minnow upstream and to work it down, the reward -will be greater than that gained by the man who will -not take the trouble to fish as recommended.</p> - -<p>The next point to consider is the strike, and it is -in minnow fishing that the angler’s self-control will be -most highly taxed. As soon as he feels a trout touch -the minnow, he will be tempted to strike—the novice -will probably give a startled jerk and ruin his chances—but -not until a trout has got a good hold on the -minnow should any strike be given; and then it should -be more of a firm steady strain than what is generally -known as a “strike.”</p> - -<p>Minnow fishing in a clear water is very much more -artistic, and at the same time more difficult, than the -methods previously described, for it calls for precise and -delicate casting, and requires an intimate knowledge -of the habits of trout. In the blazing days of late -summer it is very exhilarating to fish the minnow up -some small clear tributary stream or brook, at the -most only a few yards wide; and to do so successfully -requires consummate skill.</p> - -<p>In fishing waters of this description it is imperative -that the minnow be thrown directly upstream and -then rapidly spun down. This latter point must be -attended to, otherwise the minnow coming down -more or less with the current, will not spin. The -main stream, places under banks, about submerged<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[99]</span> -tree roots, and behind boulders, and the heads of -rapid streams, should all be carefully searched, and -when the angler observes a trout rush from its place -of concealment at his minnow, he must keep a firm -hold upon his nerves and simply continue steadily -to spin without himself otherwise moving.</p> - -<p>A trout bent upon the capture of a minnow becomes -very unwary and will frequently follow his prey -almost to the feet of the angler, and, if the angler -remains as still as his spinning will allow, will often -seize the bait at the last moment. It is very necessary -therefore to fish a cast right out.</p> - -<p>It is also wise in the main to adapt the size of the -minnow, be it natural or artificial, to the size of the -water to be fished; and it should always be remembered -that a minnow is better too small than too large. -When fishing small tributary waters, or even thin -water on the main river, the weight of the lead or -sinker may be materially reduced, and a small minnow -should be used.</p> - -<p>When fishing the main river under low clear water -conditions, <i>upstream</i> methods must be rigidly adhered -to, and the beginner may here be warned, above all -things, not to get into that mechanical method of -fishing the minnow now so prevalent, which is satisfied -with long casts across the river and recovery of line -without any definite object in view, except to get the -minnow from <i>one side to the other</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[100]</span></p> - -<p>If a boulder resists the onward flow of the current -near the far bank, throw the minnow so that it drops -gently into the water a foot or more above the boulder; -then spin down past it. If nothing happens then, -try the other side of the rock. Should the water -undermine the far bank, drop the minnow in at the -top of the run and spin down it; in fact try every -place, including the thinnest of water, that could -contain a fish, and use all the knowledge and intelligence -you have; for you will need it all, if you are to get -any success in low clear water.</p> - -<p>When a reach of quiet steady-flowing water is -ruffled by a wind, it will often yield good results to -a minnow carefully fished. The edges should be -thoroughly worked and the angler should never fail -to spin his minnow alongside all patches of weed, as -in such places minnows frequently congregate, and a -feeding trout knows where to find them.</p> - -<p>Another type of spinning is afforded by a long -reach of rapid water that is broken up all over by -boulders of every possible shape and size. In such -water the trout will not follow the minnow far; they -will either seize their prey as it passes them, or turn -round and make a sudden rush at it before it can get -many inches below. Therefore it is best to fish the -minnow here with a short line and to spin the bait -briskly down past each boulder. For such water -the longer fly rod will be found to be the better<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>[101]</span> -weapon. The minnow is also sometimes useful when -a gale of wind in the middle of summer puts fly -fishing out of the question.</p> - -<p>To be able to command success with the minnow, -either in clear water or in brooks, is an accomplishment -worth striving for. It is a sport that gives the fisherman -excitement in plenty, as the whole actions of the -trout are seen from beginning to end. And it is -impossible to describe adequately the fascination -which holds the angler whose eyes are riveted -upon a fish rushing down upon his minnow, nor to -tell the difficulty of refraining from incontinently -snatching away the minnow from a fish in the act -of seizing it.</p> - -<p>Although minnow fishing has many attractions, -when followed in times of bright skies and low waters, -it is perhaps more open to abuse than any other of the -fair methods of angling. For not only does the -indiscriminate use of the minnow, especially with the -long-distance casting reel in the hands of a persevering -man—not necessarily a very skilful one—work havoc -amongst the fish, but it spoils the sport of others, as -a spun minnow usually puts fish down for some considerable -time. Therefore, in Club waters particularly, -a man should be careful and circumspect in the use -of the minnow. For while its judicious use will do good -in removing fish that can well be done without, and -will sometimes provide a dish of trout when the fly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>[102]</span> -is at a discount during the heat of the day, say, in -August, its use out of season will call down many hard -words. And while it is possible for one to work -rapidly downstream, raking the whole river across -and across and thus spoil the sport of all others on -the water, a sportsman will choose his reach, fish it -quietly upstream, and leave his brethren of the fly in -peace and undisturbed enjoyment.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>[103]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="INDEX">INDEX.</h2> - -</div> - -<ul> - -<li class="ifrst">Across stream fly fishing, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Ant, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Ant, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Ariel Tackle, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Artificial Flies, <a href="#Flies">See Flies</a></li> - -<li class="indx">August Dun, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> - -<li class="indx">August Dun, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Autopsy, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Bites, Method of detecting in upstream Worm Fishing, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Black Gnat, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Black Gnat, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Black Gnat, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Bodies of Flies, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Broughton’s Point, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Broughton’s Point, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Brown Owl, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Brown Owl, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Cast, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Cast, Gut, How to Taper, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Casts, Rapidity of in Wet-fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Casting Reel, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Chalk Streams, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Chuck and Chance it, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Coachman, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Coloured Water, Size of Flies for, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Costa, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Creeper, Description of, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Creeper Fishing, Rod for, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Creeper Fishing, Tackle for, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Creeper, Method of Baiting, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Creeper, Method of Collecting, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Creeper, Method of Fishing, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Dark Needle, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dark Needle, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dark Olive Dun, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dark Sedge, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dark Sedge, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dark Silverhorns, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dark Silverhorns, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dark Snipe, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dark Snipe, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dark Watchet, Dressings for, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dark Watchet, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Devon Minnows, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Diptera, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dotterel, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dotterel, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Downstream, When to Fish Fly, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Drag, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dressings of Flies, <a href="#Page_16">16 et seq.</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Droppers, Dressed to Hair, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dry Flies, List of, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dry-Fly Fishing, Rod for, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dry-Fly, Times for Fishing, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dubbing, Mixture of, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Eden, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Entomology, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Evening Rise, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Evening, Size of Flies for, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Far-off and Fine, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Fisherman’s Curse, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> - -<li class="indx" id="Flies">Flies, Bodies of, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, Dressed lightly, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, Dressed to gut, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> - -<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>[104]</span>Flies, Dressed to hair, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, Dressings of, <a href="#Page_16">16 et seq.</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, Heads of, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, Number on cast in Wet-fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, Seasons of, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13 et seq.</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, Size of, for Coloured Water, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, Size of, for Evening Fishing, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, Tables of, <a href="#Page_13">13 et seq.</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, To err on small side, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Flies, Winged, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Fly Dressing, McClelland’s Book on, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Fly, Taking, Fished as point, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Formalin, Minnows preserved in, not recommended, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">General Use, Rod for, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Ginger Spinner, Dry, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Ginger Spinner, Dry, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Ginger Spinner, Wet, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Ginger Spinner, Wet, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Gnats, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> - -<li class="indx">“Gossamer,” Pearsall’s Silk, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Gravel Bed, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Gravel Bed, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Greased Line, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Green Insect, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Green Insect, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Greenheart Rod, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Greenwell’s Glory, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Greenwell’s Glory, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Gut, Tapered Cast, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Gut, Flies dressed to, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Hackle Points, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Hair, Flies dressed to, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Halford, Mr. F. M., Patterns of Flies of, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Hardy’s Hooks, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Heads of Flies, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Hickory Rod, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Hooks, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Hooks, Hardy’s, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Hooks, Short in Shank, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Inner Side of Feather, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Insect Life, Knowledge of, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Iron Blue Dun, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">“Jacks,” <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> - -<li class="indx">July Dun, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> - -<li class="indx">July Dun, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Kinking, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Knotted Midge, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Knotted Midge, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Leads, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Light Needle, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Light Needle, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Light Sedge, Dressings for, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Light Sedge, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Light Silverhorns, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Light Silverhorns, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Light Snipe, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Light Snipe, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Lightly Dressed Flies, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Line, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Line, Short for Upstream Fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Line, To be greased, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Lune, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Maiden Dew Worms, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> - -<li class="indx">March Brown, Dressings for, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> - -<li class="indx">March Brown, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">McClelland’s Book on Fly Dressing, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Metamorphosis of Creeper, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnow Fishing, in a clear water, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnow Fishing, in a coloured water, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnow Fishing, in a wind, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnow Fishing, Rod for, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnow Fishing, Season for, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnow Fishing, Tackle for, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnow Fishing, Upstream, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnow, Where to Fish, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnows, Better too small than too large, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnows, in Formalin, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnows, Method of Baiting with, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnows, Method of keeping alive, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Minnows, Natural better than Artificial, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> - -<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>[105]</span>Minnows, Salted, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Oil Tip, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Olive Bloa, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Olive Bloa, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Olive Dun, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Orange Partridge, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Orange Partridge, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Outer Side of Feather, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Pale Watery Dun, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Pale Watery Dun, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Pearsall’s “Gossamer” Silk, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Pennell Tackle for Creeper and Stone-Fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Pennell Tackle for Upstream Worm Fishing, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Phantom Minnow, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Pinktail Worms, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Pink Wickham, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Point Fly, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Poult Boa, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Poult Bloa, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Primary Feathers, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Rapidity of Casts in Wet-Fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Red Quill, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Red Spinner, dry, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Red Spinner, dry, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Red Spinner, wet, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Red Spinner, wet, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Reel, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Ribble, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Rod for Creeper Fishing, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Rod for Dry-Fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Rod for General Use, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Rod for Minnow Fishing, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Rod for Stone Fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Rod for Upstream Worm Fishing, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Rod for Wet-Fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Rough-Bodied Poult, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Rough-Bodied Poult, Season for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Salted Minnows, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Season of Flies, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13 et seq.</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Secondary Feathers, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Sedge Flies, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Short-Bodied Flies, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Short Line for Upstream Fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Silk, Pearsall’s “Gossamer”, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Silk, Shades of, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Silk, Waxed, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Silver Sedge, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Single Hook Worm Tackle, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Small Side, Artificials to err on, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Smuts, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Spinners, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Spinners, Wing for, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Spinning, Rod for, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Split-Cane Rod, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Split Shot, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Spring Black, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Spring Black, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stewart, Rod recommended by, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stewart Tackle, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stone Flies, Females, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stone Flies, Males, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stone Fly, Description of, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stone-Fly Fishing, Rod for, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stone-Fly Fishing, Tackle for, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stone Fly, Method of Baiting, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stone Fly, Method of Fishing, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stone Midge, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Stone Midge, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Strike, Timing of, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Swivels, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Tackle for Creeper Fishing, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Tackle for Minnow Fishing, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Tackle for Stone-Fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Tackle for Upstream Worm Fishing, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Tail of Pool, Upstream Worm Fishing of, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Taking Fly, Fished as Point, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Tapered Cast, How to Make, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Trace, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Transparent Wax, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Under Side of Wing of Artificial, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Upstream Fly Fishing, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Upstream Fly Fishing, Short Line for, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Upstream Minnow Fishing, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Upstream Worm Fishing in still water, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> - -<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>[106]</span>Upstream Worm Fishing, Method of, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Upstream Worm Fishing, Method of detecting Bites, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Upstream Worm Fishing, Rod for, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Upstream Worm Fishing, Season of, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Upstream Worm Fishing, Secret of Success in, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Upstream Worm Fishing, Tackles for, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Upstream Worm Fishing, Wrong Method of, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Vibrate Rod Point, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Waders for Upstream Worming, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Waterhen Bloa, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Waterhen Bloa, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Wax, Transparent, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Waxed Silk, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Wet Flies, Number on Cast, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Wet-Fly Fishing, Methods of, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Wet-Fly Fishing, Rod for, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Wharfe, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Wind, Effect of, on Haunts of Flies, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Wind, Upstream Worm Fishing in a, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Wing for Spinners, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Wing of Artificial, under side, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Winged Flies, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Winter Brown, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Winter Brown, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Wool on Cast in Upstream Worm Fishing, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Worm Tackles, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Worms, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Yellow-Legged Bloa, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Yellow-Legged Bloa, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Yellow Partridge, Dressing for, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Yellow Partridge, Season for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> - -</ul> - -<p class="titlepage"><i>Printed by Percy Lund, Humphries &. Co., Ltd., Priestman Street, Bradford, -and 3, Amen Corner, London, E.C.</i></p> - -<p class="right">24422</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BROOK AND RIVER TROUTING ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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