198 Wet- Fly Fishing 



good deal from the wings and hackle of the 

 fly ; nor is this all. 



I soak the fly in the water, and, while 

 it is thoroughly wet, I, as previously men- 

 tioned, deliberately rub the wings together 

 between my forefinger and thumb, until I 

 have mixed up the fibres, and in this way, 

 doubtless, have got rid of much of their 

 natural oil. The fly then sinks readily, and 

 seldom, indeed, have I found it other than 

 a successful ruse under these exceptional 

 conditions. 



I ask other fishermen to give it an 

 honest trial ; especially when they are using 

 a single or double-hooked rnidge fly, during 

 a drought. 



It sometimes seems to act like a charm, 

 turning seeming defeat into victory. 



I wish, further, to state my decided 

 opinion concerning the way in which all 

 winged flies for our particular use ought not 

 to be " dressed," and the kind of broad lines 

 upon which they should not be modelled. 



I am quite well aware that here I am 

 going out of my way to court criticism; 

 but, strong in my conviction, I do not 

 shrink from the critic's pen, believing, as 

 I firmly do, that my contentions in the 

 main, will be upheld, in the end. 



