THE COMPLETE ANGLER 111 



that usually the smallest flies are the best ; and note 

 also, that the light fly does usually make most sport 

 in a dark day, and the darkest and least fly in a bright 

 or clear day ; and lastly, note, that you are to repair 

 upon any occasion to your magazine-bag, and upon 

 any occasion, vary and make them lighter or sadder, 

 according to your fancy, or the day. 



And now I shall tell you, that the fishing with a natural 

 fly is excellent, and affords much pleasure. They may 

 be found thus : the May-fly, usually in and about that 

 month, near to the river side, especially against rain : 

 the oak-fly, on the butt or body of an oak or ash, from 

 the beginning of May to the end of August ; it is a brownish 

 fly and easy to be found, and stands usually with his head 

 downward, that is to say, towards the root of the tree : 

 the small black fly, or hawthorn-fly, is to be had on any 

 hawthorn bush after the leaves be come forth. With 

 these and a short line (as I shewed, to angle for a chub), 

 you may dape or dop, and also with a grasshopper, behind 

 a tree, or in any deep hole ; still making it to move on 

 the top of the water, as if it were alive, and still keeping 

 yourself out of sight, you shall certainly have sport if 

 there be trouts ; yea, in a hot day, but especially in the 

 evening of a hot day, you will have sport. 



And now, scholar, my direction for fly-fishing is ended 

 with this shower, for it has done raining ; and now look 

 about you, and see how pleasantly that meadow looks ; 

 nay, and the earth smells as sweetly too. Come, let me 

 tell you what holy Mr. Herbert says of such days and 

 flowers as these ; and then we will thank God that we 

 enjoy them, and walk to the river and sit down quietly, 

 and try to catch the other brace of trouts. 



Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright, 

 The bridal of the earth and sky, 

 Sweet dews shall weep thy fall to-night 

 For thou must die. 



