I 



FANCY FLIES. 89 



the light, — the way in which fish must, from 

 their position beneath the object, always see it. 

 It may be thought a startling assertion, 

 that a favourite fly one season may not be 

 found equally alluring another. Such have I, 

 nevertheless, experienced in practice. The 

 problem is not of very difficult solution. 

 Some years are more favourable to the pro- 

 duction of the fly than others. Fertility of 

 soil depends not wholly on the industry and 

 ingenuity of man. Excess or paucity of rain 

 will neutralise both care and skill. Corre- 

 spondent changes — unusual floods, extreme 

 frosts — may destroy a greater number of the 

 larvae than would perish in a more temperate 

 season. When, therefore, the favourite of one 

 year is not plentiful another, the fish seek it 

 not, but prey on what may have previously 

 escaped notice. Hence, many of what are 

 considered fancy flies, because not in standard 

 lists, succeed when the known insect is uncared 

 for. And herein, too, they prove themselves 

 of the optimist school ; taking all for the best. 



