116 FLY FISHING FOR TROUT. 



dry over the trout. On changing flies they gave 

 the new fly a similar chance, and occasionally 

 would change flies merely to get a dry one. That 

 is plain. They discovered that a dry fly is 

 more attractive than a wet one : but what is 

 the dry fly and what are we to call its invention ? 

 The test I suggest is the intentional drying of 

 the fly, for until that is done invention is not 

 complete. Using that test, the first mention 

 of the superiority of a fly that floats over one 

 that sinks occurs in the year 1800, and the first 

 mention of drying the fly in 1851. From this 

 latter date the dry fly has a continuous history, 

 but its use did not become common till 1860, nor 

 was it till after the publication of Halford's 

 books in the eighties that it spread to more than 

 a few rivers. There are, however, passages in 

 writers much earlier than 1800 which at first 

 sight seem to hint at it, though I think it can 

 be shewn that they refer to something quite 

 different. These must be cleared out of the 

 way before dealing with the dry fly proper. 



Old writers, and new ones too for that 

 matter, often discuss whether your fly should 

 sink deep or swim near the surface. You are 

 told that on occasions you will get better sport 

 by sinking your fly, as for instance in still pools, 

 in lakes on a calm hot day, or generally in cold 

 weather. On other occasions your fly should 

 be at or near the top. Early writers especially, 

 fishing downstream with long rod and thick 

 line, liked to keep their flies on the top of the 



