55 



CHAPTER IV. 



ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE OF INSECTS FOR THE FLY-FISHING 

 SEASON, WITH THEIR IMITATIONS. 



*' Although the imitation of nature is the principal object to be 

 desired by the flymaker, yet in some instances it will be advisable 

 to enlarge or diminish the proportions of the artificial fly. ... If 

 the river be very high, the fly may be dressed larger than nature ; 

 if very low, the size may be reduced, and the body made thinner 

 than the natural fly appears." BAINBEIDGE. 



WE now enter upon our special province ; for 

 hitherto we have been occupied with introduc- 

 tory matters. This Fourth Chapter supposes the 

 angler to be in some degree a proficient, fairly 

 provided with the materials for making a fly ; 

 with the finest silks, red, lemon colour (called 

 primrose silk by the angler), and purple, with 

 orange and claret, if possible ; also blue dun 

 furs, light and dark, hare's ear, and fox ; a few 

 wings of the unsunned starling, as the softest, 

 taken just before the birds quit the parent nest, 

 also of the landrail, hen pheasant, and hen black- 

 bird ; and, above all, some dun hackles, from the 

 neck of blue dun hens, light and dark, and some 

 with a golden edging or fringe ; some red and 

 furnace hackles from the neck of game cocks, 



