76 AMERICAN FISHES. 



In several works upon angling, the term " hackle" is variously ap- 

 plied. We find it synonymous with " palmer," which expresses an 

 artificial fly and a caterpillar. We find instructions to prepare the 

 " hackle" to make the fly ; and again, we are instructed to fish with a 

 "hackle" or a "palmer." Thus the angler is confounded. The 

 " hackle" is at one moment a feather, and at the next a fly the fly of 

 one angler is the hackle of another ; a hackle is nothing more than the 

 feather of a bird, and a portion of the material which composes the 

 palmer. 



There is also some apparent inconsistency in the use of the term 

 " palmer fly." The term " palmer," as I understand it, is only appli- 

 cable when speaking of the " palmer worm ;" but as this worm is des- 

 tined to become a winged insect, the term " palmer fly" or " palmer 

 hackle " is, according to my notion, a more expressive term than 

 "hackle" or "palmer" alone. The palmer is the insect represented 

 the hackle is the material to form the representation. 



The foregoing few general remarks I have deemed necessary not 

 from any desire to infringe upon old and perhaps well-established 

 names, but for the purpose of inducing others to examine the subject. 



A little research upon this apparently unimportant matter led me 

 into a labyrinth, from which I have with difficulty escaped ; and I am 

 by no means assured that my views may not increase the mystification 

 of our angling vocabulary. 



No. 7. GREEN DRAKE OR MAY FLY. Wings The mottled 

 feather of the mallard dyed yellow, to stand rather erect and divided. 

 Body Yellow mohair, ribbed with peacock's herl and orange silk. 

 Legs Red ginger hackle. Tail forked with two or three hairs. 

 Hook No. 5, 6, or 7. 



There are other modes of dressing this fly, but I prefer the above. 



No. 8. GRAY DRAKE. Wings The gray feather of a mallard, if 

 not too dark, to stand erect. Head A morsel of peacock's harl. 

 Body Fine down from a white pig, light gray camlet, or whitish gray 

 ostrich herl, striped with deep maroon silk. Tail forked with two or 

 three gray hairs. Legs A grizzled hackle. Hook No 5, 6, or 7. 



The green or gray drake is not, so far as I can judge, an American 



