ON THE EXACT IMITATION THEORY. 



the better is it calculated to attract the attention 

 of the fish. 



To present to such a fish an artificial repre- 

 senting a different fly, or designedly " freakish," 

 is therefore without any excuse that I am able 

 to find, and is only calculated to arouse sus- 

 picion, and draw attention to the main point 

 of " freakishness," namely, the presence of the 

 hook. At best it is only to substitute for an 

 imitation of something that the fish expects, 

 wants, and knows it wants, an object having no 

 such certain recommendation. 



This latter remark, which is almost independent 

 of any assumption as to the trout's nature, will 

 apply though with somewhat diminished force 

 where trout are not actually feeding but "waiting 

 for the rise." Hence, in this case, it is well to 

 commence with artificials like the insects season- 

 able at the time, though other patterns may 

 meet with good success, especially when cast 

 and recast so as to create the idea that flies 

 of this sort are passing over the fish in large 

 numbers.* But when we can satisfy ourselves 

 that the inaction t of the fish is due to satiety, or, 

 as may often be the case in the summer time, 

 a disinclination to spoil their appetites for supper, 

 we have quite a different case with which to deal. 



When our quarry, their banquet over, have 

 betaken themselves sub tegminefagi,to enjoy that 

 blissful state of lazy repose which we anglers are 

 sometimes privileged to share, it is then that the 

 energetic of our number should mount their 

 Wickhams or other heretical lures that their 

 fancies may dictate. Such a fly might then, as 

 being an unaccustomed sight, and as displaying 

 unusually bold contrasts of colour, force itself 



* This is the theory of the late David Foster. Vide 

 " The Scientific Angler " re red caterpillars. 



B 3 



