TROUT-FLIES. 103 
says, is only safe provided you do not “ cough or snaze,” 
is then dragged from her moorings—perhaps at the 
bottom of the lake—and pressed into the service. The 
art of blow-line fishing, though in its principles exceed- 
ingly simple, demands much nicety of execution in 
practice, and, as indeed its name implies, it cannot 
be pursued at all without the assistance of that 
most inconstant element, the wind. Weather, how- 
ever, proving propitious, the tackle is easily adjusted. 
A skein of floss silk, prepared for the purpose, and 
attached to the end of a light running-line, is sub- 
stituted, so far as the actual casting is concerned, for 
the “reel-line,’ and to this, instead of the ordinary fly- 
collar, is fastened a single small hook whipped on a 
strand of fine gut. The hook is baited with a May- 
fly, and as the boat drifts the wind carries out the 
floss silk, which ought to be so managed by the aid of 
hand and rod that only the hook and fly should actually 
touch the water. Near the edges of the reeds will 
usually be found the greatest quantity of Ephemeride, 
and as acorollary the greatest number of Trout. The 
exact time for this fishing varies a little, as the spring 
has been cold or genial; and the several lakes vary 
also zuter se, which is a great convenience to the fisher- 
man; but from the middle to the end of May is com- 
monly about the time. The Westmeath lakes, when 
the fly “is up,” will well repay a visit, as the fish, which 
are at this time in the highest condition, run from two 
