164 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME. 
to represent the fly just at the moment it reaches the surface, before 
it has gotten rid of its outer skin and put its wings out. Finally, 
here we have the ‘‘whole dam dun family’’ and the ‘‘blood relation’”’ 
or ‘‘first cousin’’ to the ‘‘dam dun family.’’ 
Second Tourist: Why such a name for a poor inoffensive fly ? 
Angler: This fly is intended to be a composite portrait of all the 
duns. Its cousin is a slight variation with woodcock wings and is 
very useful when the march brown fly is on the water. These two are 
my own design. 
Second Tourist: Are they any good? 
Angler: Well, the first time I used ‘‘the family’’ I got hold of a 
big trout that escaped by promptly getting down between some rocks 
and sawing off my leader. The next day at almost my first cast with 
the same fly I got a three-and-a-half-pound fish and long before it 
got dark or even the cows came home, I had caught the limit. 
Mrs. Tourist: Which is your favorite fly ? 
Angler: The grasshopper, when the fish are feeding on it. But 
when they are feeding on small flies I have no first choice. The fact 
of the matter is that one fly is as good as another provided the size 
is right. The most important thing is to have confidence that the 
fly you are using is the one and only fly to use. If you can attain 
to this degree of perfection then you will catch fish. However, we 
are human and we have our doubts and in order to be on the safe ‘side 
it is just as well to have a variety of flies along, even if you do 
confine yourself to only one or two patterns. 
Mrs. Tourist: Well, we have had a most delightful visit, and if 
ever you come our way you must certainly come out to the ranch and 
have some fishing where there will not be so many people fishing all 
around you. 
Angler: Here are a few grasshopper flies that may be useful in 
the future. 
Tourist: Many thanks. And good luck to you. 
