226 SIZE CF FLIES. 



Ronalds, especially as we know that those three 

 large flies, which I have just mentioned, are especial 

 favourites of the trout, and it must be, that they 

 prefer small morsels to large, although collecting 

 the former must entail so much greater pains 

 and trouble. 



Herb. — This is clearly proved in bottom 

 fishing. A moderately small piece of pacte being 

 more successful than a larger one, and a smaller 

 worm of the same sort producing the same 

 result. 



Theoph. — You are quite correct, according to 

 my experience. Again, if we may compare them 

 with man, do we prefer large mouthfuls to those 

 of moderate dimensions ? Certainly not ; not 

 only because education teaches us that it is a 

 vulgar habit, but for the reason, that there is more 

 trouble in their mastication, as well as in swal- 

 lowing them. And it must be remembered that 

 we masticate, while the fish swallows whole 

 that which he puts into his mouth. I therefore 

 think it probable that a fish would prefer the 

 trouble of collecting several ^mdWmorceauj^ to the 

 chance of one large one sticking in his gullet, and 

 chokeing him. And thus probatu7n est q. e. d., viz. 

 that large flies attract attention, while smaller ones 

 take the fish. In trolling for pike, a large bait 

 often induces a fish to seize it, and it is well to 

 use such, if you are fishing with a snap ; yet if 



