FLY FISHING IN THE SEA 149 



the back and belly together, which renders it a closer imitation 

 of the fry, but I doubt if its killing powers are in the least 

 increased. 



The term ' whitebait fly ' is scientifically correct ; because it 

 was established beyond a question by Dr. Day that the ad- 

 mirable little fish which are caught at the mouth of the Thames 

 and elsewhere, and are held in particular veneration at Green- 

 wich, are the young of both sprats and herrings. 



Fly fishing has special advantages over all other branches 

 of angling. In the first place, it is deliciously clean. Secondly, 

 it is simple, requiring nothing more than a fly and length of 

 gut, in addition to the rod and running tackle. Thirdly, from 

 its simplicity it is an inconspicuous tackle, there being no leads, 

 swivels, float, nor spreaders to frighten the fish ; and the bait 

 can be cast lightly on the water without the disturbance of a 

 boat passing over or near the fish, which cannot be avoided 

 when certain other methods are practised. 



Generally speaking, all surface-swimming fish take the fly 

 when, as I have said, they are feeding on the young herrings 

 or sprats. Occasionally salmon, frequently sea trout in many 

 districts, and still more often pollack, bass, and coalfish may be 

 caught by the fly fisher. Herrings are not at all adverse to a 

 white fly, and grey mullet may sometimes be caught in this way. 

 There is a popular belief that an artificial fly is the best bait for 

 mackerel, and every ' boy's mackerel line ' which is sold at a 

 seaside toyshop is decorated with three or four iron hooks the 

 shanks of which are covered with red or white worsted with a 

 strand or two from a swan's-wing feather roughly tied on. No 

 doubt mackerel will occasionally take these flies ; but it is not 

 very often one can keep for any length of time near these fish 

 when they are shoaling and breaking the surface.- They appear 

 for six or seven seconds, perhaps, and the angler may get a couple 

 of casts into them and probably catch a fish ; then down they go, 



