254 FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



insect in order to kill or injure it and then afterwards 

 capture it. Such persons fail to see the trout's head at 

 all, for very often it barely comes to the surface, hut 

 the quick motion to go down throws the tail up and 

 over hence the error, as I consider it. Any one who will 

 take the trouble to throw house flies to trout in an 

 aquarium, will never again think trout strike their prey 

 with their tails. 



The kinds of flies to be used vary with the locality, 

 stream, state and stage of the water, weather, etc. The 

 fly that pleased the fancy of the trout to-day to-morrow 

 perhaps in the same stream and under the same 

 conditions, as far as any one could see, would fail. 

 The only way is to keep trying until the one is found 

 that does please. Don't change too often, but give 

 each "cast" a fair trial. 



I do not believe in certain flies for certain months in 

 the year. I have stood up to my knees in snow and 

 taken trout, in mid-winter, with the same flies I had 

 used in mid-summer. 



In low, clear water, especially in streams, small flies 

 should be used. In higher water, larger flies are better, 

 as a rule. When the water is high as early in the 

 season larger and brighter-colored flies may be used to 

 more advantage. Later, when the water is low and clear, 

 smaller flies and more sober colors are best. I believe, 

 however, that rules for the choice of flies have a great 

 many exceptions, and the best rule I know of, is to 

 keep trying different kinds and sizes until successful. 



