'J^ MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



or less crude and imperfect — but the theory as ulti- 

 mately elaborated, examined by the light of the theories 

 of others, and worked out, tested and re-tested by my- 

 self during some twenty years' practical experience of 

 fly-fishing on many of the principal rivers and lakes in 

 the three kingdoms. 



With regard to Salmon-fishing the arguments ad- 

 duced against a multiplicity of flies apply, and with 

 even greater force, inasmuch as it is not pretended by 

 any one that Salmon-flies really imitate the colour or 

 form of any known insects, but are rather spontaneous 

 evolvements from the internal consciousness of anglers 

 and tackle makers. They are certainly more numerous 

 in their endless variety of colour and pattern than even 

 Trout-flies, and are proportionately more useless, except 

 to those who are paid for making or selling them. The 

 result of my investigations is, that there is only one 

 essential in the construction both of Salmon and Grilse- 

 flies, and that is bi^illiancy and strength of colouring ; and 

 that in proportion as they fulfil these conditions arc 

 their killing properties. Size is on the contrary an ele- 

 ment constantly varying from local circumstances. A 

 large river or lake usually demands a large fly, and vice 

 versdy and this again should be larger or smaller ac- 

 cording as the weather is dark or bright, windy or calm. 

 These are all points requiring the exercise of judgment, 

 for in their combinations they present considerable 



