The North Country Angler. 53 



CHAP. XIV. 



Of the Palm, or Gosling- Fly. 



OOME think this fly is bred in the buds of the 

 willow or palm-tree ; and I cannot say it is not, 

 though 1 have seen in the water under stones, a 

 bright small eruca, very near the colour of it ; 

 which I supposed to be that fly, and when it left 

 the water, fed upon the willows. I have catched 

 some of these erucas, and put two of them upon 

 a fine hook, but they were too small and tender 

 to do any execution with. 



There are three species of flies about this sea- 

 son, that are killing flies, when the wateris fine. 

 The first has a pale yellowish wing, which may 

 be exactly suited by the wing or tail feather of 

 the green linnet, or any small bird of that colour. 

 The body you may make of gosling-down itself; 

 though I like very soft swine's down, or yellow 

 yarn better. 



The second is a brighter yellow, for which you 

 shou'd have a fine feather died yellow, with 

 dubbing of the same colour. 



The third is as bright a yellow as can be seen ; 

 its wings stand streight upon its shoulders; its tail 

 is forked and turns up, almost to touch its wings. 

 This, I think, is easiest and best imitated with a 

 bright yellow cock's hackle, and nothing hut the 

 unwaxed yellow silk for the body; you may cut 

 off some of the hackle on the under side of the 

 fly. These three in April and May, dressed to a 

 single hair, will be taken in a fine water and 



F3 



