370 TROUT AND ANGLING. 



round the casting line when wet, as it is inclin- 

 ed to do. Its distance from the end fly or stretch- 

 er is about three feet, but if bait is used, it should 

 be at least double that distance. Its body or dub- 

 bing may be made of red worsted, mohair or floss 

 silk, the last being neatest, and objectionable in all 

 flies only on account of its greater liability to hold 

 the water. Then comes the hackle, from the neck 

 feathers of a white rooster dyed red, which is 

 wound round the body, making a very simple j^y, 

 so called, but more resembling a caterpillar, as it 

 will be observed it has no wings. 



When three flies are used, there can be no better 

 arrangement for them than the following. The 

 first drop-fly, to be thirty inches from the stretch- 

 er, the gut only four inches long, and of the stout- 

 est kind. The second drop-fly to be thirtyfive 

 inches from the first, and the gut eight inches long. 

 The advantage of observing this fixed distance be- 

 tween the flies, is that of their all three coming in 

 contact with the water in the ordinary position of 

 the line after it is cast. 



Highly as we appreciate it as a pleasing resource 

 to the angler, and forming one object for the 

 exercise of his skill, it is not intended to add to 

 these remarks our own experience in the art of 

 fly making ; it will however be proper to state 

 the names of those mentioned in the books on 



