CREEPER AND MAY-FLY FISHING. 57 



another Inverness cape-wise for a chest, and a 

 body or tail of nine or ten segments tapering 

 slightly, terminated by two sting-like whisks, 

 make its appearance somewhat formidable. Legs 

 yes, it has legs, only six of them, but they feel 

 as if their name was legion, so rapidly do they 

 move. Colour, mottled olive above ; yellow be- 

 low. Such is the creeper. 



The fly is a big, soft, greenish-bodied fellow, 

 from one to one and a quarter inches long, with 

 four heavy, soft, drab-coloured wings, laid flat 

 along its back. 



Both are thoroughly harmless, until the angler 

 renders them otherwise to the trout by inserting 

 hooks. 



The easiest way to catch creepers is to hire a 

 small boy ; if that useful nuisance is not avail- 

 able, a supply can be obtained by wading into a 

 stream about six inches deep, holding a small- 

 meshed landing-net below you, and displacing 

 the stones with your feet. The slowest way is to 

 lift stones and chase the insect ; this is exciting 

 but unprofitable. May-flies may be gathered 

 from under stones near the water's edge, especi- 

 ally on the lee side of the stream. 



TACKLE. A long rod, somewhat soft in the 



top, is advisable, owing to the tender nature of 



both lures. Any kind of line, and a gut cast of 



from seven to nine feet long, ending in three or 



E 



