HEAVY AND LIGHT IRONS 41 



and in the second, it means that the fly dressed 

 on it will fish deep. 



But though the principle of a heavy iron is 

 a sound one, it must not be carried to extremes; 

 Its expediency in the larger size of hooks, for 

 instance, will be called into question. Except 

 on rivers like the Tay, where most of the 

 fishing with large flies is by harling, big, heavy 

 irons are not only inexpedient, but imprac- 

 ticable. Accordingly, for casting, when the 

 necessity for a big fly arises, it is almost in- 

 variably the rule to use hooks which, while 

 producing a large size of fly, at the same time 

 reduce weight and bulk to the minimum by 

 increasing the length of the shank out of the 

 usual proportion to the bend. These are 

 known as " long Dees," so called, presumably, 

 because they are regarded as originating from 

 the Aberdeenshire Dee, where it is rather 

 uncommon to see any other kind of hook used ; 

 but it is probable that the Spey is equally 

 responsible for their genesis. 



The use of the " long Dee " is not necessarily 

 confined to the large sizes. Wherever a light, 

 flimsy type of pattern is required, or whenever 

 a fly comparatively large as to length of 



