12 INTRODUCTION. 



bridge over a trout-stream, that they take into 

 their mouths many things by way of experi- 

 ment, which they immediately reject. I suspect 

 that they would, if we gave them time, very 

 frequently reject our artificial flies. Thirty 

 years' experience tells me, that Salmon, Trout, 

 and Grayling — the three only fish really 

 deserving the notice of the angler and the ap- 

 plication of his skill — are to be induced to 

 try a change of element on their constitutions, 

 by presenting to their notice certain inventions 

 which often bear no similitude to the natural 

 productions of either earth or water. 



Considerable manual dexterity is required 

 to produce a good imitation of the .natural 

 insect, and the acquisition of this art is a 

 pleasant and interesting accomplishment. In 

 this manufacture colour must be minutely at- 

 tended to, for it is a demonstrated fact, that fish 

 rise at colour. Imitate never so closely the form 

 and general character of the fly at which the 

 fish are rising, — if the colour be wanting, you 

 will have no sport. 



You need not, good brother of the rod, take 



