THE COMPLETE ANGLER 295 



have a great hackle, the body black, and wrapped with 

 a red feather of a capon untrimmed ; that is, the whole 

 length of the hackle staring out (for we sometimes barb the 

 hackle-feather short all over ; sometimes barb it only 

 a little, and sometimes barb it close underneath), leaving 

 the whole length of the feather on the top or back of 

 the fly, which makes it swim better, and, as occasion 

 serves, kills very great fish. 



5. We make use also, in this month, of another great 

 hackle, the body black, and ribbed over with gold 

 twist, and a red feather over all ; which also does great 

 execution. 



6. Also a great dun, made with dun bear's hair, and 

 the wings of the gray feather of a mallard near unto 

 his tail ; which is absolutely the best fly can be thrown 

 upon a river this month, and with which an Angler shall 

 have admirable sport. 



7. We have also this month the great blue dun, the 

 dubbing of the bottom of bear's hair next to the roots, 

 mixed with a little blue camlet, the wings of the dark 

 gray feather of a mallard. 



8. We have also this month a dark-brown, the dubbing 

 of the brown hair off the flank of a brended cow, and the 

 wings of the gray drake's feather. 



And note, that these several hackles, or palmer-flies, 

 are some for one water and one sky, and some for another ; 

 and, according to the change of those, we alter their 

 size and colour ; and note also, that both in this, and 

 all other months of the year, when you do not certainly 

 know what fly is taken, or cannot see any fish to rise, 

 you are then to put on a small hackle, if the water be clear, 

 or a bigger, if something dark, until you have taken one ; 

 and then thrusting your finger through his gills, to 

 pull out his gorge, which being opened with your knife, 

 you will then discover what fly is taken, and may fit 

 yourself accordingly. 



