FLIES FOE MAT. Ill 



one at a time on his casting-line, which should 

 be of stout gut, not longer than two yards. He 

 should keep his fly on the surface of the water, 

 and must judge of a rise, if fishing in the dark, 

 more by hearing and feeling than by sight. He 

 must strike promptly, and play his fish with a 

 tight hand. 



No. 49. The May-fly, or green-drake. This 

 famous fly is the opprobrium of fly-makers. Try 

 how they will, they cannot in my opinion imitate 

 it well. The wings are their greatest foil. In 

 making the body they succeed tolerably well. 

 Still the best imitation is defective, and, except 

 upon certain occasions, the artificial May-fly is 

 not a deadly bait. The natural fly used in dib- 

 bing far surpasses it. However, the imitation, 

 faulty as it is, will kill when the natural fly is 

 scarce on the water, as in cold, dark, windy days. 

 The artificial fly kills in currents and pools that 

 are moved to small waves and billows by a bluff 

 west or south wind. 



The general feather used for the wings of this 

 fly is a dappled one found by the sides under the 

 wings of the mallard, and dyed a pale green- 

 yellow colour. To hit the true colour is the 

 great difficulty. To get over it I know not how. 

 I must be content to cite the best authorities. 

 First, I will take Mr. Blacker, a capital judge of 

 colours, who dyes his feathers yellow according to 



