ON CREEPERS. 109 



for trout and old smelt in April and May, fished on the fly 

 hooks. They may be kept in water pots, for use, or until 

 they fix and hatch, by keeping the water fresh ; close thick 

 woollen bags (to exclude the air) are the best to take them 

 out in, now and then dipping them in water. 



QTH. FRECKLED DUN CREEPER (stickbait). Length, 

 half an inch ; head, shoulders, and legs, black ; body a light 

 blue dun. The vegetable appendages impart a dye which 

 freckles or darkens the stickbait tribes. Length of case 

 about three quarters, with its appendages of stems, etc., to 

 an inch and a quarter. Their buoyant dwellings compel 

 them to choose still waters, but in their rambles for fixing 

 they oft may be seen propping and contending against the 

 stream. 



10TH. LEAST FRECKLED DUN CREEPER. Length bet- 

 ter than one-eighth ; head, shoulders, and legs black ; body 

 leady ; case near a quarter, covered smooth with fine brown 

 soil, and looks like a short piece of rusted wire. 



NOTE. The remaining portions of the creepers of these 

 three classes have their growth in the water, and hatch 

 their flies in the way that has been described. The creepers 

 and flies furnish the greatest portion of the insect food of 

 the fish the choice of trout, grayling, and smelt, and the 

 select of the craft the season through. They may be termed 

 the regular forces of the flyfisher, for nature has bound each 

 numerous swarm when its time comes to appear and shew 

 itself on the water to the fish, every day of their dur- 

 ation. The land flies and insects come on the water by 

 accident, and never so numerous or ever so regular. The 

 creepers tell the forthcoming of the flies. The streams of 

 Ripon abound with every variety ; in fine weather and low 

 waters they may all be found at their times, under loose 



