AND WHEN THEY DO NOT. 51 



On a fine clear day, in pools at least, the artificial 

 May-fly will not succeed; and still less any of the 

 philosophers' outlandish flies, because of the im- 

 possibility of imitating the motions of the natural 

 May-fly, observed plainly and constantly by the 

 fish through the clear and tranquil water sending 

 up myriads of the beautiful living insect. When 

 it first comes to the surface of the water, it has to 

 shake off the case that confines its wings, to dry 

 them, to gain a little strength in the new atmo- 

 sphere it inherits before it can fly away to enjoy a 

 few hours' existence. Whilst making these inci- 

 pient preparations for ephemeral enjoyment, it is 

 seen by the fish, and frequently checked at the 

 outset of its career. The fly-maker cannot imitate 

 these acts of the fly, so apparent to fish in sunny 

 weather, and hence the little success attending the 

 artificial green drake at such a time. 



The above famous fly, so common in the rivers 

 of the midland, the western, and the southern 

 counties of England, is not so common in the 

 north, is rare and even unknown in many of the 

 best rivers of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. It 

 would be in vain to fish with it there, which 

 proves again that the common trout, at any rate, 

 will not rise at nondescript things, which instinct 

 informs them bear no resemblance to their natural 

 food. Grnats and midges are to be found every- 

 where throughout the kingdom, especially in 



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