424 



SALMON AND TROUT. 



The fly is nearly of the same length as the creeper, and the 

 tackle used for one may be used for the other. In fact, when 

 creepers are changing the fisherman will often find it convenient 

 to fish indiscriminately with either the one or the other. Trout 

 take the stone-fly best under water, and close to the edges of the 

 stream or pool. This point is laid much stress on by Border 

 anglers, and with good reason, inasmuch as the natural spots to 

 find the fly are close to the banks from which they are washed ; 

 and it is here consequently that the trout come to look for them. 

 A dark, full water is more favourable for the effective use of the 

 stone-fly than one that is low and clear ; but in both states good 

 baskets may be made with it. The flies should be collected in a 

 box the night or early morning before they are to be used. The 

 best places for finding them are under the stones above, but near 



] K.MAI, K. 



the water's edge ; and where most cast-off shells are seen the fly 

 will probably be found in the greatest abundance. 



Colonel Campbell tells me that, on the Border streams, he has 

 had great success with this fly used with blow-line tackle. A method 

 of natural fly-fishing is also much practised on the Peterel, and 

 doubtless on many other neighbouring streams, in which two flies 

 the specific names of which I could not ascertain are used 

 upon a small double hook. 



The season for stone-fly fishing begins about the middle of 

 May, and ends about the middle of June. 



