FLIES : NATURAL AND ABIIFICIAL. 85 



will endeavour to explain them, or rather narrate the 

 experiences which formed them. 



It happened that having attained a certain proficiency 

 in fly-dressing, we determined to make a large number 

 of flies of both standard and fancy patterns, so after a 

 winter's work had amassed, such a quantity that we had 

 to make an enormous book to hold them; and very 

 enticing its pages looked adorned with various combi- 

 nations of feather, silk, and tinsel, soon, alas ! to become 

 tarnished by the dressing in the felt with which the 

 pages were foolishly faced. 



This precious book contained over three hundred 

 flies, arranged so that the wings of each specimen were 

 undisturbed, and we can even now scarcely repress a 

 smile as we record the work we put ourselves to in 

 dragging it about from pool to pool throughout many 

 a long day with the greatest perseverance. 



In the course of time all the patterns were granted 

 opportunities of " distinguished service,^' with the result 

 that of the entire number only about a dozen have been 

 perpetuated, which we find when dressed in three sizes 

 meet all requirements upon various rivers, and it will 

 require a good deal of persuasion to induce us 

 to increase the number. The older the angler the 

 fewer patterns does he require. 



Anyone who has fished many rivers will have found 

 that each has its favourite patterns and favourite 

 dressings of patterns, and no doubt the flies locally 

 adopted at the present time are the outcome of the 



