96 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



however remote, of running counter to the high princi- 

 ples of his profession. 



The size and colours of the flies to be employed in 

 salmon-fishing must always vary according to the nature 

 of the waters, the state of the wind, the season, and the 

 depth and brilliancy of the stream. There are scarcely 

 any general rules to be laid down, that are not subject 

 to many exceptions. It is the knowledge when general 

 rules are to be followed and when they are to be departed 

 from, that forms such an essential part of an angler's 

 skill, and stamps him as a master of the art. Expe- 

 rience must be our sole guide in this important matter. 



On angling for salmon in France and Belgium, a con- 

 siderable diversity of opinion prevails amongst sportsmen 

 as to the nature of the flies required, both in regard to 

 size and colour. 



Some gentlemen of extensive experience and admitted 

 knowledge, uniformly fish with dull-coloured flies; others 

 again, whose claims to respect are equally high, employ 

 extremely gaudy ones. As far as our own observation 

 and practice go, we submit the following list as the most 

 likely to prove successful, when the waters are in good 

 condition; for this is a most essential point. 



No. 1. Limerick. A red cock hackle, ribbed with 

 gold twist; with drake wings of a tolerable length, and 

 standing well out from each other. 



No. 2. Body orange mohair ribbed with gold twist; 

 legs a black hackle, and mottled grey feather of the 

 mallard's wing. 



No. 3. A red cock hackle, ribbed with gold twist, and 

 wings of the woodcock set considerably apart. 



We have never personally known very large and 

 gaudy flies do much on the continent. The conformation 



