62 THE BLACK GNAT. 



THE BLACK GNAT. 



SEASON. Principally May and June. 



Natural. Like a very small house fly. The tail 

 tapers to a point; the wings are very light, the 

 body dark: they begin to appear early or late in 

 May, according to the mildness or warmth of the 

 season, and are seen hovering in great numbers 

 together,, generally over the end or side of a stream, 

 or on some particular part of a still water, where 

 you will see the fish rise at them as they fall on its 

 surface in couples. At first they appear about two 

 o'clock ; and as the cool evening approaches you 

 lose them. After May, they are solely an evening 

 fly, from about five or six o'clock, till the edge of 

 night. As the wind, during the summer months, 

 generally sinks towards evening, you will perceive, 

 where they are on the still water, by the fish rising 

 at them; and having a long rod, a light line with 

 the finest bottom, a small and light wired hook, a 

 neatly made fly,, and by keeping well off the water, 

 you may succeed. Your sport on the still pools 

 will be but moderate, unless you are very skilful, 

 and use the utmost caution, throwing with great 

 nicety in the ripple near the fish's rising, and in 

 the direction you perceive he swims. Towards 

 the tail and at the side of streams your success 

 is more certain : they continue almost all the 

 summer, and should only be used in calm hot 

 evenings. 



