128 LITERATURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING. 



Not every poet would essay to describe the practical 

 work of fly-tying, but Gay does — 



" You now a more delusive art must try, 

 And tempt their hunger with the curious fly. . 



To frame the Uttle animal provide 

 All the gay hues that wait on female pride : 

 Let Nature guide thee ; sometimes golden wire 

 The shining bellies of the fly require ; 

 The peacock's plumes thy tackle must not fail, 

 Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail. 

 Each gaudy bird some slender tribute brings, 

 And lends the growing insect proper wings : 

 Silks of all colours must their aid impart, 

 And ev'ry fur promote the fisher's art. 

 So the gay lady, with expensive care, 

 Borrows the pride of land, of sea, and air ; 

 Furs, pearls, and plumes, the glittering thing displays. 

 Dazzles our eyes, and easy hearts betrays." 



And this is how you must work your fly — 



" Let not thy wary step advance too near, 

 While all thy hope hangs on a single hair ; 

 The new-formed insect on the water moves. 

 The speckled trout the curious snare approves. 

 Upon the curling surface let it glide, 

 With nat'ral motion from thy hand supplied, 

 Against the stream now let it gently play, 

 Now in the rapid eddy roll away : 

 The scaly shoals float by, and, seized with fear. 

 Behold their fellows tost in thinner air ; 

 But soon they leap, and catch the swimming bait. 

 Plunge on the hook, and share an equal fate." 



But, though by choice a fly-fisher, Gay did not disdain to 

 use the worm, or to point out the proper kind of one for a 

 trout, and how to " scour " it — 



" You must not every worm promiscuous use ; 

 Judgment will tell thee proper bait to choose ; 

 The worm that draws a long immod'rate size 

 The trout abhors, and the rank morsel flies ; 



